SOC 390 Crime and Justice students had an opportunity to engage in two experiential learning excursions. The first trip was to the Indiana State Prison facility in Michigan City, IN. Students had an opportunity to speak with a prisoner serving a life sentence about life inside the prison, his experiences inside the prison, and his life prior to his sentence. Gus Carlson, head of the Community Services division of the prison, also took time to speak with students about society's attitudes towards former inmates, life after release for paroled offenders, and the death penalty. Students also had an opportunity to view the inside of the prison itself, including one of the prison's cell blocks. We would like to thank Gus Carlson and his staff for making our trip possible and for a memoralbe experience.

Also on October 26, SOC 390 Crome and Justice stueents were able to attend a Teen Court session in Elkhart Coutny. The Teen Court program serves as an alternative sentencing program for first-time juvenile offenders, where offenders ar judged by a jury truly comprised of their peers - participants in the Teen Court program, including the prosecutor, defense attorney, and jury members are all teenagers. The judge is a local volunteer attorney who overseees the courtroom proceedings. Crime and Justice students were able to observe three hearings, which include a reading of the police report, questioning of the defendant and other witnesses by both the defense attorney and prosecuor, and the creation of a constructive sentence by the jurty. Alison Gingerich, the coordinator for the Elkhart County Teen Court program through Family Services of Elkhart County, had graciously visited our class at Saint Mary's the day before our trip to the Teen Court session in order to give us background information on the program. Teen Court is an expanding model of dealing with youthful offenders from a restorative justice perspective that focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment of offenders. We would like to thank Alison Gingerich and all of the Teen Court volunteers for allowing us to view the proceedings.

"The trip to Teen Court was beneficial because it allowed me to see firsthand an alternative method of treating juvenile offenders. The teens involved seem to take their roles seriously, and this in turn set the modd for the court. Even though [the offenders] are penalized for their wrongdoings, it is in such a way that serves as both a punishment and a form of rehabilitation."

"I enjoyed Teen Court. It was interesting to see how the kids who were in trouble had their parents there. who wanted them to get the punishment they deserved... Most of the [sentenses] were pretty extensive, but I would imagine it causes teens to think about their actions the next time they are in a situation where they have to make better decisions."