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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision | Evaluated Learning Experience

Return to New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

Legal Principles and Concepts

Course Category: 
Active Courses - Recruit Training Program (also known as Correction Recruit Training Program)
Length: 

Approximately 30 hours (7 weeks).

Location: 
New York State Department of Correctional Services Training Academy, 1134 New Scotland Road, Albany, NY.
Dates: 
December 1993 - Present.
Instructional delivery format: 
Traditional classroom model
Learner Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to identify and describe legal principles and concepts applicable to correctional organization and administration.

Instruction: 

Major topics include: use of force; inmate misbehavior, due process requirements, and misbehavior reports; isolation of protective custody and disciplinary cases, authorization and designation of these units; penal law; accusatory instruments; civil law; constitutional law; indemnification; laws of arrest; powers of a peace officer; search and seizure; legal authority and responsibility of correctional officers.

Credit recommendation: 

In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours as Correctional Law in Criminal Justice (12/98) (7/05 revalidation) (7/15 revalidation) (7/21 revalidation).

NOTE: The Recruit Training Program is comprised of 280 hours of instruction over 7 weeks (320 hours over 8 weeks since January 2004) and 160 hours of supervised on-the-job orientation over an additional 4 weeks (120 hours over 3 weeks since January 2004). Nine areas represent the academic and practical components of the curriculum that carry college credit recommendations. The hours listed for each area are approximate and may vary somewhat depending upon the needs of each class. The content covered and learning objectives achieved are similar with each administration.  Recruits must complete the entire 11 week program and the required probationary work period in order to qualify for the credit recommendations. 

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