Community and Justice Services (formerly Correctional Worker)

 

Are you interested in front-line work in the criminal justice system and community services field? Do you want to contribute to positive individual and social change? As a graduate of the Community and Justice Services program (formerly known as the Correctional Worker program), you will be challenged to do your personal best -- learning how to develop effective relationships with those who are in your care.

 

Program Highlights

Throughout this two-year program, you will learn what's needed to work with society's at-risk youth and adult populations through experiential and in-class training. Your courses will include a significant focus on human relations and communications skills -- which are essential to your success in the field of community and justice services. You will obtain the skills and training to work in diverse community and institutional settings. Your may work with people who are currently involved, or who are at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system, child welfare or mental health systems. As well, you may work with people who are currently incarcerated, or who are experiencing difficulties as a result of addictions, anti-social behaviours, or a lack of family and community supports.

 

Why Choose Fleming?

Your access to real-life, experiential training is longer than in most other Community and Justice Services programs offered elsewhere. The 14-week field placement gives you a great deal of exposure to the field -- and employers respect and value your training. Fleming College's reputation is well recognized, both in Ontario and outside of the province, for providing excellent exposure to the scope of skills involved in working with at risk individuals. Our Field Observation course is unique in the Ontario college system in that it operates inside a federal institution, providing students with the experience of working with inmates.

Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative
Fleming College's Aboriginal Emphasis Initative is an inclusive approach to providing more understanding of Aboriginal peoples, communities and nations. You will have an opportunity to take courses designed from an Aboriginal perspective with emphasis on Aboriginal peoples, history, spirituality and culture. See the Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative page for courses available in this program.

Common First Semester
Students in our Law and Justice diploma programs take the same courses for first semester after choosing and being accepted into one of our programs. This common focus exposes you to a variety of career options and other programs, while you acquire a base of knowledge and fundamental skills. It also enables you to change direction if you find another program or career area is more appealing. You can enter that program in semester two, provided that you have achieved academic success in first semester, and subject to enrolment capacity.

 

Work Experience

The field placement experience is a 14-week block, longer than placements in many other Community and Justice Service programs. During placement, you will be required to obtain a minimum of 520 hours in the field. Placements are available throughout the province in correctional institutions (federal or provincial), young offender facilities, or community-based programs dealing with adults or youth. Some agencies may require you to submit a current police records check. If you have been convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code for which you have not been pardoned, you may be denied the opportunity to do a field placement. (If you are deficient in one course you will require a personal interview with the program coordinator to determine if field placement is possible. A student who is deficient in two or more courses will be unable to enroll in third semester until their transcript is complete and clear.)

 

What it Takes to Succeed

It's a definite asset if you've had volunteer or paid work experience, working with people in crisis or in need, such as with Big Brothers/Sisters, or in peer counselling. You've got to have a genuine desire to work with people, some of whom have made poor decisions and require some guidance in order to become intigrated into their communities. It also helps if you have the following personal qualities and skills:

• good interpersonal skills
• patience
• cultural sensitivity
• good conflict resolution/problem solving skills
• emotional maturity

 

 

Career Opportunities

By the time you graduate, you will be well-qualified for employment and a rewarding career. Graduates of the Community and Justice Services program typically obtain employment in various agencies, programs and institutions in the correctional, child welfare and broader social service systems.

• Correctional Services Canada
• Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
• Ministry of Community and Social Services
• Ministry of Children and Youth Services
• privately operated group homes
• other provincial correctional departments/ministries
• comunity based social service agencies

The placement rate for Fleming graduates in related work is high. Expect to make an average starting salary of $30,000.00, and more with experience.

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

  OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

Students starting in January are required to attend classes over the summer semester.

 

Selection Process

 

Related Programs

Interested in the law enforcement field, but not sure which branch appeals to you? Take a look at Law and Security Administration programs in Customs, Security and Risk Management, or Police Foundations.

 

Health Requirements

Increasingly, agencies ask students participating in field placement to meet specific health requirements such as proof of vaccination against Hepatitis B and a Two-Step Mantoux Test. For more information and to print the required immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.

 

Additional Costs

You should plan to spend approximately $740 per year for books and supplies.

 

University Transfer Agreements

• Athabasca University
• Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Aboriginal Justice	14.00
Career Awareness	14.00
Careers in Community Justice	7.00
Communications for Law and Justice	45.00
Intro to Political Science & Public Administration	45.00
Introduction to Canadian Justice System	45.00
Introduction to Psychology	45.00
Introductory Computing	45.00
Sociology for Law and Justice	45.00
Semester 2
Communicating at Work	45.00
Field Integration I	30.00
Field Observation	30.00
Interviewing and Counselling Techniques	30.00
Issues in Diversity	45.00
Management of Disturbed Behaviour	30.00
Penology	45.00
Security Techniques	30.00
Youth in Care	30.00
Semester 3
Field Placement	525.00
Workplace in the Community	45.00
Writing About Placement	45.00
Semester 4
Abnormal Psychology	30.00
Child Abuse	15.00
Criminology	45.00
Ethics	45.00
Field Integration II	30.00
Group Work Dynamics	30.00
Human Growth and Development	45.00
Organization/Management Issues	30.00
Programs for Modifying Behaviour	45.00

Semester 1

Aboriginal Justice

Course Number: LAWS085

In this course students will identify and examine issues related to Aboriginal Justice in Canada. Specifically, students will focus on the relationship between the Canadian Justice system and Aboriginal Peoples. Historical and contemporary events will be examined to increase understanding of Aboriginal issues. Students will explore alternative justice, and other possible strategies to address the identified problems. Cultural practices and beliefs will also be discussed.

Units: 14.00
Hours: 14.00

Career Awareness

Course Number: SOCI122

This introductory course develops a set of generic skills, that support studies at a post-secondary level and provide a foundation for the student's career success.

Units: 14.00
Hours: 14.00

Careers in Community Justice

Course Number: SOCI141

This course is designed to introduce students to the roles and responsibilities integral to the practice in the community and justice services field. Particular emphasis will be placed on professional conduct, competencies and strategies for success.

Units: 7.00
Hours: 7.00

Communications for Law and Justice

Course Number: COMM080

This course focuses on improving reading, writing, and oral communication skills through a number of assignments related to the law and justice professions. This course stresses the development of communiction skills that will allow students to meet the learning outcomes demanded by the assignments in this course, in other subjects, and for eventual career employment. Students will demonstrate skills in summary and report writing, oral presentations, standard usage of English, as well as in research techniques, including appropriate citation and documentation of sources. The principles of style, structure, content, and mechanics constitute the overall framework of the course.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Intro to Political Science & Public Administration

Course Number: LAWS043

This course provides an introduction to the democratic system of governance in Canada. It includes a description of the organization, structure, interaction, and administration of the three (3) levels of government. The course will introduce and identify the daily problems and issues faced by Canadians in a political context, including public opinion and special interest groups. Major themes explored include a brief introduction to political beliefs and values, an examination of cleavages within the Canadian population, the Canadian constitution, nationalism, and political culture and spectrum. These concepts will be examined in the current forum of the daily politics that unfold during the course. Students will begin to develop research writing skills and group discussion skills. This course is a hybrid course comprised of webct and seminar components.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Canadian Justice System

Course Number: LAWS044

This course provides an introductory overview of the Canadian Justice System, with special emphasis on the criminal justice system and the responsibilities of enforcement personnel. Contemporary issues affecting the system will be analyzed and discussed.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Psychology

Course Number: SOCI036

This course offers a systematic approach to exploring human behaviour. The concepts and empirical findings are examined using a variety of theoretical approaches. Major topics include perception, motivation, learning, memory, intelligence, and personality.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introductory Computing

Course Number: COMP345

Working in the Windows XP environment, this computer course introduces the student to computer basics (computer terminology, e-mail, Internet, file management) and the application and use of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software. Through the extensive use of hands-on activities, students will gain sufficient knowledge and experience to make productive use of computers as a tool in both college and workplace environments.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Sociology for Law and Justice

Course Number: SOCI123

Through this course, learn the special meanings that Sociology, as a language, assigns to words and how they are organized into concepts and theories. We use these words, concepts and theories to see and make sense of our social world and to talk with others about it, develop the ability to understand our social interactions, the society we create and recreate and how it affects us. Your success will depend very much on your ability in English, ability to send and receive e-mail, use a web browser, engage in discussions in bulletin boards, and other standard operations using a computer.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 2

Communicating at Work

Course Number: COMM002

This course will enable you to continue to improve your general communication skills to meet the learning outcomes demanded by the assignments in this course, as well as the expectations of other subjects and eventual career employment. This course emphasizes concepts of critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they apply to processes fundamental to effective communication. You will continue to reinforce speaking, writing, reading, and listening techniques common to the expectations demanded by the work place of your career choice by applying, at a more sophisticated level, principles of style, structure, mechanics and techniques (for orals).

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Field Integration I

Course Number: FLPL012

This course is designed to prepare students for effective and productive performances in their personal and professional life. The primary emphasis will be on the importance of acquiring theoretical information regarding how humans interact with each other, along with demonstrating the ability to practice these skills in the group, on field observation visits, in other classes and in general college life.Note: Enrollment is limited to students registered in the Community and Justice Services Program.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Field Observation

Course Number: FLPL016

This course is designed to introduce students to institutions and their residents. It will also give students an appreciation of the ways in which the system can impact on both staff and inmates.Note: Enrollment is limited to students registered in the Community and Justice Services Program.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Interviewing and Counselling Techniques

Course Number: SOCI030

This course will introduce students to some basic principles and theories underlying the practice of interviewing and counselling techniques. Students will gain ample opportunity to develop their own abilities to interview and counsel more effectively and, therefore, be of greater benefit to clients they encounter in the community and justice services field.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Issues in Diversity

Course Number: SOCI038

In this course students will critically identify and examine issues in diversity. Specifically, students will focus on topics pertaining to inequality in various social settings, including but not limited to: race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Incorporating social/legal explanations of diversity, students will develop a clear understanding of the impacted groups and possible strategies of community empowerment.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Management of Disturbed Behaviour

Course Number: SOCI042

This course will prepare students to recognize, prevent, and/or effectively manage potentially dangerous situations of unacceptable behaviour. Those under stress or in a state of crisis find it hard to function 'normally,' thus making the task of correctional workers difficult and often hazardous. At the same time, correctional workers need to have the knowledge and ability to feel confident during crises and keep their stress as low as possible. With those skills, they will be most effective in managing the people for whom they are responsible.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Penology

Course Number: LAWS060

The student will explore the history of penology in Canada. Emphasis will be placed on modern practices in the field of penology with specific reference to Correctional Services Canada and the Solicitor General/Correctional Services.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Security Techniques

Course Number: LAWS073

This course is designed to inform students of the primary responsibility of ensuring security in correctional and community facilities, and to provide them with an understanding of techniques available to them in that regard. Note: Enrollment is limited to students registered in the Community and Justice Services Program.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Youth in Care

Course Number: LAWS136

This course is designed to provide the student with a broad knowledge of legislation and policies pertaining to working with young offenders. Students will also gain an in-depth understanding of the current system as well as emerging trends of service delivered in the areas of child and family services, welfare, mental health, and corrections available to young offenders and youth in Ontario.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Semester 3

Field Placement

Course Number: FLPL019

Field placement in the second year is designed to afford the student an opportunity to relate theory and skills learned to correctional/youth work. While on placement, students will be supervised by an agency supervisor and will be visited for consultation by the instructor.

Note: The student must be in good academic standing to qualify for placement.

Units: 525.00
Hours: 525.00

Workplace in the Community

Course Number: SOCI067

Effective community support agencies are critical to the rehabilitation of offenders. As a correctional worker, you should know the services that the various agencies offer. Further, it is important to understand that these services are shaped by philosophical, social policy, economic factors, political realities and have a history to their existence and evolution.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Writing About Placement

Course Number: COMM038

Reporting on Placement covers report writing skills that are placement - oriented with the Correctional Worker Program. Students continue development of their written communication abilities. Assignments are related to the program and to placement situations.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 4

Abnormal Psychology

Course Number: SOCI002

This course examines the description, causes, and treatments of abnormal behaviour patterns. An emphasis will be placed on these issues as they are presented within correctional settings.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Child Abuse

Course Number: EDUC003

This course prepares students to take a responsible role in the community within their professional area by learning to recognize all areas of child abuse and neglect. They will learn how to act on that recognition in accordance with legal requirements. The course will also prepare students for work with adults who have been abused themselves and/or are abusive.

Units: 15.00
Hours: 15.00

Criminology

Course Number: LAWS018

Our concern about crime and frustration over criminals are major issues that command our attention. Criminology is a multidisciplinary field that helps us understand and take action. Historically, it has offered many explanations that have influenced our reactions to and social policy toward crime and criminals. This course will consist of three main parts: definitions and measurement of crime, theories of crime, crime and society.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Ethics

Course Number: SOCI019

The student will look at the general area of moral philosophy and examine how a study of ethics is important. The course focuses on ethical issues faced by individuals as citizens and professionals. It will assist students to clarify their values and establish a framework for ethical decision-making.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Field Integration II

Course Number: FLPL014

This course will aim at further preparing students for effective and productive performance in the field. Students will be required to draw from their experiences while on block field placement, and identify and discuss topics in a meaningful manner. Note: Enrollment is limited to students registered in the Community and Justice Services Program.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Group Work Dynamics

Course Number: SOCI024

Groups are powerful influence systems that are found wherever humans live. Because of their impact on human behaviour, they have been implemented in correctional settings for some time, and their use is expected to increase. With the understanding of groups and the acquisition of group work skills, a correctional officer can facilitate personal growth and change within the client population.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Human Growth and Development

Course Number: SOCI025

This course is designed to give the student a basic understanding of the normal patterns of growth and development at various stages within the life cycle from infancy through to old age. The major theories of development will be examined to enhance understanding of this field of study.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Organization/Management Issues

Course Number: SOCI045

This course will provide an opportunity for students to explore, discuss, and appreciate many modern aspects that impact on the daily operation of correctional institutions.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Programs for Modifying Behaviour

Course Number: SOCI056

This three-hour-per-week course will familiarize students with some aspects of the many behaviour management programs in operation, their advantages and disadvantages, including some ethical issues.Note: Enrollment is limited to students registered in the Community and Justice Services Program.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00