1. A 15 minute presentation that identifies the key professional issues for a criminal justice sector organisation and the strategies that they might take to address these key issues. (LOs 2-4)
2. Student may either produce a written or video reflection on their work placement, critically analysing their personal and professional development. (LO 1)
3. Confirmation of placement hours and evaluation of the student's performance by the workplace supervisor based on predefined criteria.

Within this module you will explore several theoretical and practical issues around professional practice; you will learn the core values and behaviours expected when working in any criminal justice environment, primarily using values and professional standards principles of HM Prison and Probation Service (Purpose, Humanity, Openness, Together) to underpin professional actions. This module focuses on individual and organisational aspects which may influence the effectiveness of organisations within the criminal justice sector both internally and externally to the organisation, including misconduct and culture. The module reviews how local and high-profile cases can affect the sector’s ability to foster and maintain public confidence.

This module is designed to enhance employability of students by giving them real world industry experience. In addition to the placement experience and skills development. The assignments are designed to further enhance transferrable skills related to employability; communication, public speaking, professionalism, organisation, digital literacy, critical thinking, self-awareness and reflective practice.

70 hours of Work experience in an area related to Criminal or Social Justice.

This module builds on the level 4 module ‘Understanding criminal and social justice organisations’.

1. Reflect on personal and professional development through the work experience, identifying strengths, areas for improvement, and future career aspirations.

University Learning Outcome: Reflection

2. Understand the impact of personal traits on relationships of those who work in the criminal justice sector and illustrate the core values and behaviours expected of staff within sector settings

University Learning Outcome: Learning, Application

3. Critically evaluate unethical or unprofessional behaviour and communicate how to effectively protect those who come into contact with the system

University Learning Outcome: Analysis, Problem solving, Communication, Application

4. Critically consider the role of professional standards and expectations on building a fair and effective service

University Learning Outcome: Analysis, Knowledge and understanding

Contact hours for lectures/tutorials
Lectures and workshops introducing the information and developing discussion regarding the course material. Tutorials will aide learning by developing critical analysis and provide assessment support. Opportunities for case study explorations and role play practical exercises will be integrated where possible.
Non-contact time will involve extensive reading of the course material with a view to developing knowledge from recommended reading material to prepare for the assessments.

VLE
Lecture and tutorial room equipped with means to fulfil the teaching strategies
Placement support

Copley, S. (2011) Reflective practice for policing students. Exeter: Learning Matters.

Fanthome, C. (2017) Work placements: a survival guide for students. Palgrave Macmillan.

Guillen, M. (2021) Motivation in Organisations: Searching for a Meaningful Work-Life Balance. 1st edition. United Kingdom: Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429317293.

MORRISON, K. and MAYCOCK, M. (2021) ‘Becoming a Prison Officer: An Analysis of the Early Development of Prison Officer Cultures’, Howard journal of crime and justice, 60(1), pp. 3–24. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/hojo.12394.

Ragonese, E. (2015) The Routledge guide to working in criminal justice employability skills and careers in the criminal justice sector. First Edition. London¿; Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Ricciardelli, R., Maier, K. and Norman, M. (2023) ‘“You have to be really careful, in this environment, of what you say and what you do”: A qualitative examination of how organizational culture shapes parole officers’ work and well-being’, Probation journal, 70(4), pp. 385–405. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/02645505221127184.

Rudes, D.S. and Magnuson, S. (2019) ‘Scapegoating culture: Misunderstanding organizational culture as the problem in carceral institutions and beyond’, Sociology compass, 13(2). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12657.

Tenney, M. and Gordon, J. (2014) Serve to be Great: leadership lessons from a prison, a monastery, and a boardroom. 1st edn. Newark: WILEY.

Werner-de-Sondberg, C.R.M. et al. (2018) ‘Sector Well-Being Differences Among UK Police Custody Staff’, Journal of police and criminal psychology, 33(2), pp. 137–149. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-017-9241-1.

Within this module you will explore several theoretical and practical issues around professional practice; you will learn the core values and behaviours expected when working in any criminal justice environment, using values and professional standards principles of HM Prison and Probation Service (Purpose, Humanity, Openness, Together) to underpin professional actions. You will complete 70 hours of Work experience in an area related to Criminal or Social Justice.