Schedule of Events

Throughout my experience in the field of Criminal Justice, I knew that I wanted to work in prosecution. However, I found myself focusing on criminal psychology and jail sentences, and how they related to preventing crime. I discounted the importance of the systems that exist once people are released from jail, and how those organizations were constantly aiming to reduce recidivism. Throughout my time in the Adult Field Services unit of Ventura County Probation, I learned how critical reintegration is and how vital of a role the probation system plays in the justice system. As a Student Worker within Probation, I was responsible for assisting deputy probation officers with handling clients. I submitted Supervised Release Files in order to add a client to the system, conducted case reviews and audits to ensure compliance, sent warning letters to those clients who were not in compliance, closed and then purged cases of those who existed the system, logged court dockets to keep track of where clients were in the system, and sent cases to bench warrant for those clients who failed to appear in court. This internship taught me the value in reintegrating people who have left jail, and how the system has been designed to prevent repeat offenses. This presentation will aim to show how critical post-incarceration supervision is within the Criminal Justice system. This presentation will be conducted with a PowerPoint with more information and will be approved by the Criminal Justice faculty sponsors before presented.

Under the direction of Dr. Schannae L. Lucas, the 2017-2018 Culver Fellows conducted research on experiential learning within a liberal arts setting, and participated in the nationally recognized Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program in partnership with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department at the Todd Road Jail. We also carefully examined a set of best practices for implementing experiential learning within correctional facilities. The Culver Fellows participated in the pilot California Lutheran University Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. This unique course involves experiential learning immersion, allowing traditional college students to engage in a peer reciprocal learning process with California correctional system inmates housed at the Santa Paula Todd Road Jail. During each class, students engage in rich academic and practical discussions regarding crime policy and social justice. In particular, Cal Lutheran outside students are exposed to a wide range of the realities of mass incarceration, inmate culture, and crime policy that will help shape their future as they embark on working in the Criminal Justice system. In return, the Todd Road inside students strengthen their pro-social and critical thinking skills that may help lead them to different life choices and establish a pathway to pursuing higher education. This Inside-Out prison exchange course ultimately seeks to facilitate positive change through transformative education and we will discuss how this process occurred from the perspective of the Cal Lutheran inside and outside students.

After graduating from Santa Barbara City College with an AA in Criminal Justice, I began looking for ways I can further my knowledge of the field of Law Enforcement and continue my education at California Lutheran University. I was able to discover my vocation in life while also pursuing my degree by working as a Traffic Cadet at the Ventura Police Department. I have been exposed to law enforcement in a way I never thought possible as a civilian. The notable tasks I have been exposed to include assisting on search warrants, preparing traffic collision and stored vehicle reports, preparation of court packets for the Police Departments Redflex system, directing traffic in emergency situations and at special events, identifying vehicles in violation of parking ordinances and abandoned vehicle codes and impound those vehicles accordingly. Those are only a few of the many tasks that I have had the chance to experience during this internship. Through this presentation I hope to convey how essential civilian positions are to the field of policing. This Presentation will be formatted as a PowerPoint with more information and will be approved by the Criminal Justice faculty sponsors before presented.