LAW 341 Seeking Alternatives to ImprisonmentMEF UniversityDegree Programs LawGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Law
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

ECTS Course Information Package

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Law
Course Code LAW 341
Course Title in English Seeking Alternatives to Imprisonment
Course Title in Turkish Hapsetmeye Alternatif Arayışlar
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom,Lecture
Level of Course Introductory
Semester Select,Spring,Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 96 hours per semester
Number of Credits 4 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge -
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students
Overall Educational Objective • Understand the theoretical foundations of alternatives to imprisonment. • Analyze different types of non-custodial measures. • Evaluate the effectiveness of alternatives to imprisonment. • Discuss policy implications and best practices for implementing these alternatives.
Course Description This course explores various alternatives to traditional imprisonment, examining their theoretical foundations, practical applications, and effectiveness. Students will analyze different types of non-custodial measures, their implementation in different jurisdictions, and their impact on offenders and society. This class will focus on the theory and practice of using non-custodial sanctions and measures in the field of criminal justice. Within the possibilities of current criminal justice systems, detention and imprisonment are still inevitably necessary instruments in most cases. Nevertheless, there is also a broad consensus that imprisonment should be used only as a last resort (ultima ratio) as there is equally enormous evidence that criminal sanctions and measures regarding imprisonment and the way in which they are classically enforced not only have high direct and indirect costs but also do not contribute to the prevention of reoffending and applying non-custodial sanctions and measures —instead, where appropriate- have significant advantages. These alternatives to imprisonment play an important role not only in promoting social rehabilitation and reintegration of the offender into the society, but also in return reduce reoffending and provide higher public safety. Central to this argument to promote alternative sanctions as a form of prison reform, there is also a strong human rights argument that benefits the individual and the society at large.This class aims to present an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to alternatives to imprisonment, focussing on legal solutions and implementation of these measures that are transforming the landscape of criminal justice. The class will be undertaken , bringing the theory and real life practices regarding Prison Reform studies , human rights law and restorative justice perspectives , basing the arguments on a system that focuses on the offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) This course concentrating on “alternatives to imprisonment” aims to support the development of legal solutions on alternatives to incarceration that will not only play a role in promoting the social rehabilitation and reintegration of the convict into society but also reducing recidivism and ensuring higher public safety.
2) In the successful completion of this program, we aim to increase students' knowledge and awareness about penal solutions that comply with the law, ease the public conscience, prioritize human rights. but also be a strong alternative to freedom-binding punishments and sanctions.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2
1) The ability to recognize and apply basic principles and theories of law, legal methodology, and interpretation methods.
2) The ability to follow, evaluate, interpret and apply the current developments and legislative amendments.
3) The ability to locate and use legal resources; to follow and evaluate current legislative amendments, legal science, and court decisions.
4) The ability to internalize social, scientific and ethical values while evaluating legal information.
5) The ability to recognize, examine and resolve legal issues with respect to general principles of law, de lege feranda and de lege lata; to take into consideration both national and international aspects of law; and to acknowledge the importance of personal conviction while making decisions.
6) The ability to critically analyze legal disputes, legislation, court decisions and different views in the legal science; to form his/her own opinions; to detect legal lacuna and suggest alternative solutions.
7) The ability to understand issues regarding different fields of law; to characterize and propose solutions to complex issues arising from legal practice.
8) The ability to participate in and organize legal projects and activities as a socially responsible individual; to put his/her legal knowledge and skill to use efficiently (in the public or private sector).
9) The ability to use a foreign language at least on a B2 Level on the European Language Portfolio, to follow legal developments and communicate with colleagues in that language; to use computer software and information and communication technologies necessary in the law field at an Advanced Level of the European Computer Driving License.
10) Adoption of a positive approach to the concept of lifelong learning.
11) The ability to understand the development, evolution, and problems of the society and to contribute to the solution of these problems by legal methods.
12) The ability to understand the structure, organization, and functioning of law on the national and international level; to contribute to the development thereof.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) The ability to recognize and apply basic principles and theories of law, legal methodology, and interpretation methods. H Participation
2) The ability to follow, evaluate, interpret and apply the current developments and legislative amendments. S Participation
3) The ability to locate and use legal resources; to follow and evaluate current legislative amendments, legal science, and court decisions. H Exam,Participation
4) The ability to internalize social, scientific and ethical values while evaluating legal information. S Participation
5) The ability to recognize, examine and resolve legal issues with respect to general principles of law, de lege feranda and de lege lata; to take into consideration both national and international aspects of law; and to acknowledge the importance of personal conviction while making decisions. H Exam,Participation
6) The ability to critically analyze legal disputes, legislation, court decisions and different views in the legal science; to form his/her own opinions; to detect legal lacuna and suggest alternative solutions. S Exam,Participation
7) The ability to understand issues regarding different fields of law; to characterize and propose solutions to complex issues arising from legal practice. S Participation
8) The ability to participate in and organize legal projects and activities as a socially responsible individual; to put his/her legal knowledge and skill to use efficiently (in the public or private sector). S Participation
9) The ability to use a foreign language at least on a B2 Level on the European Language Portfolio, to follow legal developments and communicate with colleagues in that language; to use computer software and information and communication technologies necessary in the law field at an Advanced Level of the European Computer Driving License. S Exam,Participation
10) Adoption of a positive approach to the concept of lifelong learning. N
11) The ability to understand the development, evolution, and problems of the society and to contribute to the solution of these problems by legal methods. N
12) The ability to understand the structure, organization, and functioning of law on the national and international level; to contribute to the development thereof. N
Prepared by and Date İPEK ÖZEL , September 2024
Course Coordinator İPEK ÖZEL
Semester Select,Spring,Fall
Name of Instructor

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Welcome And Introduction, Laying The Framework For The Whole Semester.
2) Theoretical Foundations: The Phenomenon Of Crime And Functions Of Prisons Today.
3) Purpose And Limitations Of Freedom-Binding Penalties
4) Approaches Towards Reoffending, Rehabilitation and Prevention Of Crime: Principles, Dilemmas And Benefits
5) Effects of the Prison, Prison Reform Movement And Punishment Beyond Prisons
6) What Does Alternatives To Incarceration Imply And Why Is It Essential To Talk About It Now?
7) Core Principles Regarding Alternatives To Imprisonment
8) Re-Evaluating The Domain Of The Criminal Justice System In Seeking Alternatives To Prison As A Sanction
9) Midterms
10) Discussing Alternatives To Incarceration During Pre-Trial And Pre-Sentencing Processes
11) Discussing Alternatives To Incarceration During The Sentencing Phase
12) Prison Release Measures And Probation Systems As An Alternative
13) Exceptions And Special Categories Regarding Alternatives To Imprisonment
14) Basic alternatives to imprisonment: Probation, Parole, Community service, Restorative Justice Programs, Home Arrest, Diversion Programs, Future Directions, Policy and Implementation Challenges
15) Finals
16) Finals
Required/Recommended ReadingsTonry, M. Crime and Justice: A Review of Research. University of Chicago Press. Bazemore, G., & Schiff, M. Restorative Community Justice: Repairing Harm and Transforming Communities, Routledge Publishing Zvekic U, Frate A, Alternatives to Imprisonment in Comparative Perspective, Nelson-Hall Publishers, Bondeson U. V, ‎ Alternatives to Imprisonment: Intentions and Reality , Routledge Publishing Champion J. D, Probation, Parole and Community Corrections, Prentice Hall Whitehead P, Transforming Probation: Social Theories and the Criminal Justice System, Bristol University Press Blomberg T.G and Cohen S, Punishment and Social Control, Aldine de Gruyter Publishing Petersilia J, Reitz R. K, "The Oxford Handbook of Sentencing and Corrections", Oxford University Press Bottoms A, Rex S, Robinson G, Alternatives to Prison, Routledge Publishing Heard C, Alternatives to imprisonment in Europe: A handbook of good practice, Antigone Edizioni
Teaching MethodsLecture, theoretical frameworks, case studies, practical applications, policy analysis in class discussion and oral presentations
Homework and Projects
Laboratory Work
Computer Use
Other Activities
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 0
Laboratory 14 % 0
Midterm(s) 1 % 50
Final Examination 1 % 50
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration ipekozel@gmail.com

Midterm examination 50%, Final examination 50% Students must have a score of 50 or higher from final or makeup assessments in order to pass the course. Plagiarism: All essays will be checked for plagiarism and the ratio will be considered for grading. Late Submission: Per University policy Attendance : Per University policy Missing an exam: Per University policy Contact: ipekozel@gmail.com

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 2 2 1 70
Laboratory 14 0 0
Presentations / Seminar 1 0 0
Midterm(s) 1 8 2 10
Final Examination 1 14 2 16
Total Workload 96
Total Workload/25 3.8
ECTS 4