CONSEQUENCES OF CRIME – 2010-2011
The East Cobb County Council PTA is proud to host "Consequences of Crime" through a continuing partnership with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office; the Superior, State and Magistrate Courts; and the Cobb County School District. Over its twenty-nine year history, thousands of Cobb students have participated in this award-winning program. The demand for the program is at record levels. We are indebted to Sheriff Neil Warren, the Sheriff's Office, and the Courts for working with us to help young people learn about choices, consequences, and the end results of crime.
OBJECTIVE:
To provide an educational activity that directly helps students understand the consequences involved with making wrong choices and to develop peer leaders.
LOCATION:
Cobb County Prison Unit, 1877 County Services Parkway. If coming from the West on County Services Parkway it is immediately after the Detention Center entrance, on the left. It is gated.
CONTENT:
Elementary Schools
Only fifth grade students should participate in this field trip. They will receive information about shoplifting and juvenile delinquency, as well as drugs and alcohol, with a focus on choices and their consequences.
Middle and High Schools
Only seventh and/or eighth grade students should participate in this field trip. It is appropriate for high school students in grades nine through twelve to attend, but we recommend that participants be from no more than two contiguous grade levels. Middle and high school students will experience a more in-depth presentation dealing with drinking and driving, being in possession of drugs and alcohol, and new laws concerning the teenage driver.
FORMAT OF PROGRAM:
Welcome and Overview
Presentation by Sheriff’s Office Representative
Inmate speaker
Tour of the Prison Unit at 1877 County Services Parkway
CHAPERONES:
You must provide a minimum of one chaperone for every 10 students. One of the chaperones must be a Cobb County School System employee (teacher, counselor, or administrator). No maximum limit for chaperones.
STUDENT SELECTION PROCESS:
Each school/PTA/PTSA may set their own student selection criteria within the appropriate grade levels. A maximum of twenty (20) students per school is permitted. The numbers for the high schools may be higher depending on space availability and scheduling. As participation is very limited, we encourage you to choose students who have not participated in the program in the past.
Please select a broad cross section of students in terms of gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic backgrounds who can "connect" with the diversity of your entire school population. It is expected that participants behave appropriately during this educational field trip. Your group should not be filled exclusively with students who are “at risk” or "need" to have their eyes opened. This is not a “scared straight program“. If you are focusing on a particular grade level, choose students from all homerooms or classes. High schools often select relevant a
class such as business law to participate. Please note that the program is significantly more effective, however, when the high school participants are 9th or 10th grade.
All students serve as ambassadors for their schools and peers. The ultimate goal is to extend the benefits of this project to as many students and families as possible. It is expected that participants will share what they have learned, examples:
* they might write about what they learned and publish it in your PTA/PTSA or student newsletter
* chaperones might interview a number of students and write an article about the field trip
* at the high school level, we recommend the incorporation of this field trip into the curriculum through classroom discussion and assignments, articles in the school and PTSA newspaper, creation of a video for close circuit TV, or other means to reach all students and families
SCHEDULING:
The sessions must begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and will end at approximately 12:00 p.m. Please arrive at the Cobb County Prison Unit on County Services Parkway between 9:30-9:45 a.m. A representative of the Sheriff's Office will meet you outside the building. If you arrive prior to 9:30 a.m., please wait on the bus until directed to come into the building.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
It is imperative that you notify us at least one month before the scheduled date if your school is not able to attend. For any emergencies occurring on the date of the program, please call 770-499-4719 and ask that a message be left for Sgt. Lee. Also, please communicate with the ECCC PTA Consequences of Crime Chair, Heather Rees, 678-887-7884 or hprees@aol.com.
PERMISSION FORMS:
No student will be permitted to attend this field trip without a permission form signed by a parent or guardian.
TRANSPORTATION:
Each school/PTA/PTSA coordinates their students' transportation for the field trip. You may choose to transport students by school bus or in cars in accordance with Cobb County Schools' Policy. Drivers normally serve as chaperones and remain with students throughout the program.
DRESS CODE:
All visitors to the Cobb Work Release facility must be properly attired and meet the following dress code:
- Male visitors must be attired in shirt, trouser and shoes. No running shorts, gym shorts, cut-offs, spandex, fishnet clothing, or hats will be allowed.
- Female visitors must be attired in conservative clothing and shoes. No shorts or skirts above the knee, halter tops, tank tops, scooped neck tops or cut-offs will be allowed. Sleeveless or tight-fitting tops are inappropriate. Shorts and skirts above the knee are not permitted.
We recommend that attendees wear slacks or jeans with comfortable walking shoes. Please note that the tour involves some walking within this air-conditioned facility. IF SOMEONE IS NOT APPROPRIATELY ATTIRED, THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TOUR.
BEHAVIOR:
Participants must demonstrate respect for inmates, officers, judges and chaperones. If a student fails to behave appropriately, they will leave the tour and wait with school personnel until the program is finished.
CAMERAS AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT:
No one is permitted to bring cameras and video equipment. If they are brought inside the facility, the Sheriff's Office will hold them for you and return them to you at the end of the program.
To download the ECCC COC Packet with entry form and survey click below:
