Experiential Learning: Justice System Officials as Co-Educators

Most students are interested in the operation of our courts. They want to know how crimes are investigated, how criminals are prosecuted, convicted and sentenced, and how (and how well) prisons operate. Unfortunately, the people with the best experience to address these topics are not usually found on campus. But with some advanced planning, they can become partners in a meaningful experiential education collaboration. This paper briefly reviews the experiential theory behind this undergraduate field class, and the mechanics of its operation.