CHUKA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
BACHELOR’S IN CRIMINOLOGY AND SECURITY STUDIES
CRSS 321 PENOLOGY
Lecturer: MR SETH OMONYA – 0719 741 955
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Purpose
This course focuses on issues related to our system of punishment for criminal offenders. We begin with a
historical review of the origins of prisons and then proceed to an examination of the current thinking
regarding modern forms of punishment. Additionally, we will discuss current trend in prison programs and
will examine issues relevant to prisons today.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Narrate historical perspective regarding the origins of prison and the various "eras" of prison
philosophy.
2. Describe current issues relevant to correctional institutions (i.e., special needs inmates, death
penalty, treatment programs, and suggestions for reform).
3. Critically think and analyse issues relevant to correctional institutions.
4. Examine similarities and differences between the experiences of male and female prisoners.
5. State issues of social control and the ironies of imprisonment.
WEEK Topic Sub-topic Learning Activities
1 Introduction to penology Introduction In groups of five,
Punishment of offenders discuss the concept of
The Concept of Punishment punishment and its
Essential Elements of rationale.
Punishment Examine the history of
The Purposes/philosophies punishment
of Punishment
History of Punishment
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Essential of an Ideal Penal
System
2 Theories of punishments Theories of Punishment In groups of five,
and modern types of Preventive theory discuss, examine other
punishment in Kenya Retributive theory theories of punishment.
Reformative theory
Deterrence theory
Theory of
compensation
Types of punishment in
Kenya
3 Capital punishment Historical Application of Watch a clip on how
Capital Punishment capital punishments
The Case for the Death were inflicted
Penalty
The Case Against the Death
Penalty
Old methods of inflicting
death
Modern means of executing
capital
4 Imprisonment Historical development of In groups of three
prisons Discuss the following
Aims of imprisonment Justify the rationale of
Current Views of imprisonment
Imprisonment Examine the challenges
Prison reforms faced by prisons
5 Penal administration and Introduction At your free time,
prisoner population Prison Administration examine the Kenyan
Internal Structure penal institution.
The Prison Act Share with your
Orders and Instructions colleagues your
Key Performance Indicators findings
Staffing
6 ASSESSMENT CAT ONE
7 Community penalties Introduction
Community based
corrections
Factors favoring community
based Penalties
Types of Community-Based
penalties
2|Page
8 Historical Development of
Probation penalties Probation
Purpose of Probation
Penalties
Legal basis of Probation
Orders in Kenya
Conditions of a Probation
Order
Probation Supervision
Probation Hostels
9 Parole penalties Definition of parole
Under What Circumstances
is Parole Offered?
The Parole Process
Parole Restrictions
Purpose and benefits
10 Intermediate sanctions The concept of intermediate
sanctions
Types of intermediate
sanctions
Fines
Forfeiture
Restitution
Intensive
supervision
probation (ISP)
Electronic
Monitoring and
House Arrest
Shock Incarceration
Programs
11 ASSESSMENT CAT TWO
3|Page
12 & Penal accountability Introduction
13 The Exercise of Penal
Power
The Stewardship Model:
Financial and Managerial
Accountability
Legal Accountability:
Prison Rules and Prison
Law
Grievance Procedures
Prisons Ombudsman
Boards of Visitors
International And Regional
Protection
14 END OF SEMESTER EXAMINATION
Method of Delivery
Lectures, tutorials, discussions, guided group learning activities, reading assignments, presentations,
assignments.
Teaching and Instructional Materials
Computers and internet, overhead projectors, multimedia technology, boards, handouts, textbooks,
journal articles.
Course Assessment
C.A.T’s and Assignments 30%, Final Examination 70%, Total 100%
References
Comfort, Megan. 2008. Doing Time Together: Love and Family in the Shadow of the Prison. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press.
Foucault, Michel. [1975]. 1977. Discipline and Punish: Birth of Prison. New York: Pantheon.
Gottschalk, M. 2006. The Prison and the Gallows: The Politics of Mass Incarceration in America.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kupers, Terry. 1999. Prison Madness: The Mental Health Crisis Behind Bars and What We Must Do
About It. San Francisco: Jossey Bass
Morris, Norval and David Rothman (eds.). 1995. The Oxford History of Prison: The Practice of
Punishment in Western Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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