Accepting the Terms and Conditions: An Evaluation of a Parole-Based Experiential Assignment

Figures & data

Table 1. Student responses.

Question	Strongly disagree (1)		Somewhat disagree (2)		Neither agree nor disagree (3)		Somewhat agree (4)		Strongly agree (5)		M (SD)
The parole assignment…	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Was a valuable educational experience for me	1	2.4	3	7.1	5	11.9	18	42.9	15	35.7	4.02 (1.00)
Helped me understand what it would be like to be involved in the criminal justice system	1	2.4	3	7.1	1	2.4	28	66.7	9	21.4	3.98 (.87)
Changed my attitudes toward parolees	1	2.4	2	4.8	17	40.5	12	28.6	10	23.8	3.67 (.98)
Helped me understand perspectives of individuals who are on parole	1	2.4	1	2.4	3	7.1	20	47.6	17	40.5	4.21 (.87)
Has helped me understand the perspectives of parole officers	2	4.8	6	14.3	14	33.3	14	33.3	6	14.3	3.38 (1.06)
Has helped me understand treatment/crime prevention effects	1	2.4	1	2.4	4	9.5	25	59.5	11	26.2	4.05 (.83)
Helped module content come to life	1	2.4	1	2.4	5	11.9	16	38.1	19	45.2	4.21 (.93)
Helped me apply and expand on concepts learned in my modules	0	0	1	2.4	6	14.3	22	52.4	13	22.8	4.12 (.74)
Has made me more interested in correctional reform/changing the way our criminal justice system works	2	4.8	3	7.1	11	26.2	15	35.7	11	26.2	3.71 (1.09)
Has helped me decide what career paths/goals I may pursue	6	14.3	8	19.0	14	33.3	11	26.2	3	7.1	2.93 (1.16)
Increased my desire/motivation to continue in my course	2	4.8	2	4.8	10	23.8	16	38.1	12	28.6	3.81 (1.07)
Helped make module content more approachable/relatable	1	2.1	1	2.4	7	16.7	21	50.0	12	28.6	4.00 (.88)
Helped make me feel like my skills and interests were valued in this module	1	2.4	3	7.1	14	33.3	18	42.9	6	14.3	3.60 (.91)
Made me feel like the lecturers values my learning/university experience	1	2.4	2	4.8	11	26.2	14	33.3	14	33.3	3.90 (1.01)
Was an overall enjoyable experience	1	2.4	2	4.8	9	21.4	13	31.0	17	40.5	4.02 (1.02)
Assisted me in learning in my forensic psychology and criminology modules	0	0	1	2.4	4	9.5	21	50.0	16	38.1	4.24 (.73)
Provided me with real-world experience	1	2.4	3	7.1	2	4.8	16	38.1	20	47.6	4.21 (1.00)
Experiential learning
I would recommend keeping the parole assignment in this module for next year’s students	1	2.4	0	0	4	9.5	14	33.3	23	54.8	4.38 (.85)
I think that future students would enjoy the parole assignment	1	2.4	1	2.4	4	9.8	18	43.9	17	41.5	4.20 (.90)
Experiential learning opportunities such as the parole assignment should be required in forensic psychology/criminology courses	0	0	0	0	3	7.1	19	45.2	20	47.6	4.40 (.63)
There should be more experiential learning opportunities such as the parole assignment in my undergraduate course	1	2.4	2	4.8	6	14.3	11	26.2	22	52.4	4.21 (1.03)

Table

Points Available	Requirements	Points Achieved/Explanation
5 points	Description of the Conditions Outline the specific conditions that you have selected Outline the types of offenders/offences that these conditions may apply in the criminal justice system (e.g., general, sexual, IPV) Describe what these restrictions entailed
15 points	Reflection on your Experiences. Describe your experiences following your chosen conditions (e.g., difficulties) Provide concrete examples of the effects the conditions had on your daily life Explain how other factors may make these conditions easier or harder to abide by (e.g., how owning a car would make being banned from public transit easier) Reflect on how these conditions may help or hinder reintegration to the community for justice-involved individuals
10 points	Integration of the Literature Use evidence from the literature to support or refute your conclusions Use of multiple studies to support conclusions
5 points	Proper APA format (including): Title Page Headings In-text citations Paraphrasing Reference Page
Total Possible: 35 pts		Total Achieved: