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 | Off-Campus | International International | Domestic Domestic |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter school | 30/5/2022 | 7/6/2022 | 20/6/2022 | 10/7/2022 |
* 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 2022 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2022 will be available from the 1st October 2021. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate significant understanding of the major crime types (e.g. property crime, violent crimes etc) and the potential costs and harms associated with these;
- Possess a working knowledge of the language and key terms commonly employed in the criminal justice system, and communicate your ideas in written and verbal form, with the ability to structure and express your ideas for both academic and professional audiences.
- Analyse major criminological offender rehabilitation models (e.g. the Risk-Need-Responsivity Model; Good Lives Model), approaches (e.g. therapeutic jurisprudence, restorative justice) and concepts (e.g. criminogenic risk, desistance, social capital, engagement), and be able to apply them in practice scenarios.
- Understand the complex links that can exist between criminal offending and issues of health, welfare and social inequalities (e.g. poverty, homelessness, substance misuse, mental illness).
- Have a critical appreciation for the work contexts and institutional dynamics of the courts, community corrections, prisons and community sector organisations, and how these may shape offender-worker relationships.
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 | $1,828.00 | $858.00 | not applicable | $2,108.00 |
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
Prerequisites
25 points at introductory level in any discipline in any facultyTeaching
| Teaching Pattern | On campus Synchronous off campus Asynchronous off campus |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Critical Reflection (10%)|Case Study Analysis (40%)|Policy Report (30%)|Class participation (20%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Textbook: White, R & Graham, H. 2013. Working with Offenders: A guide to concepts and practices, Willan Publishing. https://www.coop.com.au/working-with-offenders/9781843927938 |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
|---|
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.