Courses & Units

Working With Offenders HGA232

Introduction

This unit is designed to introduce students to the issues and processes associated with working with offenders, particularly those in prisons or under the supervision of community corrections. The unit explores issues pertaining directly to how best to work with a wide variety of people with offending histories. Topics to be covered include duty of care, 'special populations' of prisoners, risk management and difficult situations, safety and security, working with involuntary clients, inter-agency collaboration, prison culture, assessment tools, mental illness and drug use, restorative justice, victim interests, children and families of prisoners, worker self-care and professional report writing. The unit also examines how and why people stop offending and change (desistance from crime). International examples of innovation are showcased from key jurisdictions such as England and Wales, Scotland, Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand. The unit is intended to be relevant and familiar for those already working in the field, in prison and in the community, as well as to introduce contemporary principles and practices to those wishing to do so in the future. Engaging presentations from experienced guest speakers who are senior practitioners in the field are one of the popular features of this unit.

Summary

Unit name Working With Offenders
Unit code HGA232
Credit points 12.5
College/School College of Arts, Law and Education
School of Social Sciences
Discipline Sociology and Criminology
Coordinator Doctor Vicky Nagy
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Intermediate

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Winter school On-Campus International Domestic
Launceston Winter school On-Campus International Domestic
Online Winter school Off-Campus International Domestic

Key

On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Winter school 3/6/2024 11/6/2024 24/6/2024 14/7/2024

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the socio-economic and individual factors that contribute to criminal offending, and analyse the potential costs and harms associated with offending.
  • Apply major criminological offender rehabilitation models, approaches and concepts to practical examples.
  • Evaluate the work contexts and institutional dynamics of the courts, community corrections, prisons and community sector organisations, and how these may shape offender-worker relationships.
  • Communicate your ideas clearly in written and verbal form.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
099903 $2,040.00 $957.00 not applicable $2,324.00

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

HGA332, HGA532

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

On campus
6 days face to face (3 days one week and 3 days the next week).
Intensives include some lecture recordings.
Online participation tasks

Synchronous off campus
Online Tutorials, 2 hours x3
Discussion board posts (for anyone unable to attend online tutorials)
Recorded lectures
Online participation tasks

Asynchronous off campus
Discussion board posts
Recorded lectures
Online participation tasks
 

AssessmentCase Study Analysis (20%)|Critical Reflection (20%)|Class participation (25%)|Presentation and Summary (35%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

LinksBooktopia textbook finder

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.