NCJ Number
121651
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1990) Pages: 56,58,60
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Professional Education Council of the American Correctional Association has developed an entry test model for correctional officers to increase professionalism in the field and provide a curriculum standard for criminal justice educators.
Abstract
The proposed entry test is not intended to downgrade the quality of graduate or undergraduate educational programs in criminal justice or corrections, but rather acts as a quality control measure for such education, much as does the bar exam for attorneys. The standard entry test would apply to all criminal justice job positions. It would reveal the applicant's understanding of the structure, purpose, and method of the police, prosecution, courts, institutions, probation, parole, community service, and extramural programs. It would also test for knowledge of various kinds of corrections programs, the role of punitive sanctions and incapacitation, and perspective on past experience and current trends. The test would ensure that academic institutions gear their curricula to the knowledge standards set by criminal justice agencies. Two States have expressed interest in a pilot use of the entry test.