1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history, philosophies, current practices and policy debates surrounding the provision of community sentences and community justice.
2. Apply the argument that community sentences should not be viewed merely as ‘alternatives’ to prison but understood as representing a different sphere of penal regulation.
3. Examine cases to establish whether community sentences have several advantages over imprisonment. Provide a critical analysis of the advantage or not as the case may be.
4. Engage in directed research of secondary data on reoffending, electronic monitoring, mandatory drug treatment, recall and incarceration.

A project report or essay detailing the effectiveness of community sentences within the context of the module (3000 words): Learning Outcomes 1-4, weighted at 100%.
Learners have the opportunity to submit formative assessment as part of this module, and will receive formative feedback on draft work.

Most people who are sentenced for crimes are not sent to prison but punished in the community. This module explores and explains the history, philosophies, current practices and policy debates surrounding community justice. Community justice is a specific area within criminal justice that focuses on the punishment and rehabilitation of offenders in the community. There is good evidence to show that community punishments can often be more effective than custodial sentences in preventing re-offending with some categories of offenders.
Topics covered include:

1: An introduction to community justice
2: Historical background
3: Probation services
4: Community Justice models
5: Community Sentences
6: MAPPA and MARAC
7: Working with service-users
8: Approved Premises
9: The voluntary sector
10: Case studies

You will learn about the probation service and how community sentences are facilitated by both public and private sector organisations. You will reflect on how community justice is essential to cutting crime, tackling reoffending, supporting victims and keeping the public safe. You will consider the efficacy of combining the right sentences with new technology. You will learn how probation staff work more closely with local authorities and the NHS to help offenders find a stable home and medical treatment so that they can access employment and education.

Through negotiation, you will select and obtain approval to undertake a project that will focus on an aspect of community justice examined in the module literature.

The aim is to allow you in negotiation with a tutor and (typically) a practitioner to identify an aspect or aspects of study which will specifically meet your own learning and development needs.

The project should focus on one or more of the key aspects of community justice and offender management functions which have been studied on the module together with work related problem-based learning, thereby enhancing knowledge and skills in the context of your potential employability.

The learning strategy for this module is based on you committing a total of 200 hours of activities, split between direct contact with a tutor and directed and independent study, together with preparation for and completion of assessment tasks.

WHOLE GROUP SESSIONS

In these sessions, you are introduced to the general concepts underlying the subject and provided with an outline of the relevant legal principles and cases. Teaching materials, including the use of Microsoft 365 and Blackboard VLE platform. These sessions guide you towards consolidating your knowledge and understanding

SMALLER GROUP BLENDED SESSIONS

These are preceded by a period of independent learning. The module materials contain indicative reading for each session, together with subjects for discussion and case studies. The purpose of the smaller group sessions is to help you assess your understanding of a topic, to develop analytical skills, and to learn how to apply criminological principles to factual situations. For all smaller group sessions, there are questions to help guide reading and preparation. The sessions encourage active participation and interaction among learners and between you and tutors. A variety of teaching methods is adopted to encourage the development of essential skills such as intellectual rigour, communication, problem solving, research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, judgement and the appropriate use of IT

DIRECTED AND INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent study includes research and preparation for the work to be undertaken in the smaller group sessions and consolidation of understanding afterwards. Directed study opportunities, such as online tests, are provided to enable you to revise key topics at important stages in the module. Directed and independent study aims to develop a deeper understanding of issues within this area of criminological research. You are provided with guidance in your module materials, on Teams and Blackboard. Completion of the tasks encourages you to assess your progress, identify strengths and weaknesses and manage your time more effectively.

A flat lecture/workshop computer lab/room flexible enough for small group work and a computer and projector for tutor led PowerPoint presentations.

Teams/Blackboard Virtual environment will be available to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Braithwaite, J., & Strang, H. (2019). Community Justice: A New Agenda for Restorative Justice. Cambridge University Press.

Gelsthorpe, L., & Cossins, A. (2020). Youth Justice in England and Wales. Willan Publishing

Hough, M., & Vetten, J. (2020). Penal Policy in England and Wales. Palgrave Macmillan.

Liebling, A., & Maruna, S. (2021). The Future of Criminal Justice in England and Wales. Routledge.

MacIntosh, F. (2019). Community Justice in England and Wales: A Critical Introduction. Routledge.

Maguire, M., Morgan, R., & Reiner, R. (2021). Criminology and Criminal Justice in England and Wales. Oxford University Press.

Muncie, J., & Goldson, B. (2020). Community Justice in Practice. Routledge.

Nellis, M. (2021). The New Penology in England and Wales. Routledge

Radford, L. (2020). Restorative Justice in Practice. Routledge.

Smith, R. (2019). Rethinking Community Justice. Policy Press.
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