The U.S. correctional system is made up of many different components that work together to help rehabilitate individuals and decrease the chances that crime will continue.
Imagine you work in the field of corrections and have been asked to give a presentation to high school students on the functions of the U.S. correctional system.
Create a 10- to 12-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation in which you summarize the U.S. corrections system. Address the following in your presentation:
- Why might a person go to jail versus prison? Provide examples for each scenario.
- Why might a person be placed on parole? When might a person be placed on probation? Provide examples for each scenario.
- What is the name of a community corrections program in your area? Describe the program.
- What benefits does your selected community corrections program provide? Include a minimum of 2 benefits.
Below is an outline for a PowerPoint presentation on the functions of the U.S. correctional system. Each slide includes key points that can be expanded upon when creating your slides.
Slide 1: Title Slide
- Title: Understanding the U.S. Correctional System
- Subtitle: An Overview for High School Students
- Your Name
- Date
Slide 2: Introduction to the Correctional System
- Definition of corrections
- Purpose: Rehabilitation, deterrence, punishment, and societal protection
Slide 3: Jail vs. Prison
- Jail:
- Short-term facility (typically less than one year)
- Used for individuals awaiting trial or serving brief sentences
- Example: A person charged with a misdemeanor awaiting trial may be held in jail.
- Prison:
- Long-term facility (typically more than one year)
- For individuals convicted of serious crimes (felonies)
- Example: A person sentenced to five years for robbery would serve time in prison.
Slide 4: Parole vs. Probation
- Parole:
- Conditional release from prison before completing the sentence
- Supervised by parole officers
- Example: A prisoner serving a ten-year sentence for drug trafficking may be released on parole after seven years for good behavior.
- Probation:
- Alternative to incarceration, allowing individuals to serve their sentences in the community under supervision
- Example: A first-time offender convicted of theft may receive probation instead of jail time.
Slide 5: Reasons for Parole and Probation
- Why Parole?
- To reintegrate offenders into society with supervision
- To reduce prison overcrowding
- Why Probation?
- To provide an alternative to incarceration for less serious offenses
- To focus on rehabilitation while allowing offenders to maintain employment and family ties
Slide 6: Community Corrections Programs
- Definition of community corrections programs
- Importance in the correctional system
Slide 7: Example Community Corrections Program (Local Program Name)
- Program Name: (Insert the name of a local community corrections program, e.g., "Reentry Coalition of [City]")
- Description of the program:- Focus on rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society
- Services offered (e.g., job training, counseling, housing assistance)
Slide 8: Benefits of the Community Corrections Program
- Benefit 1: Reduces Recidivism
- Provides support and resources to help individuals avoid reoffending.
- Benefit 2: Strengthens Community Ties
- Encourages former offenders to contribute positively to society and rebuild their lives.
Slide 9: The Role of Supervision in Corrections
- Importance of monitoring individuals on parole and probation
- How supervision helps facilitate successful reintegration
Slide 10: Challenges in the Correctional System
- Overcrowding in prisons and jails
- Stigmatization of individuals with criminal records
- Need for effective rehabilitation programs
Slide 11: Conclusion
- Summary of key points discussed about the correctional system
- Importance of understanding corrections as part of society's efforts to reduce crime
Slide 12: Questions and Discussion
- Invite questions from students
- Encourage discussion about perceptions of the correctional system
This outline can be expanded upon with visuals, statistics, and additional information as needed when creating your PowerPoint presentation. Each slide can contain bullet points or short paragraphs, and consider using images or charts to engage your audience further.