Criminal justice program offering comparative justice class in Ireland

While some students dream of bikinis on the beach for spring break, 10 criminal justice students from the University of Pittsburgh are looking forward to seeing the prisons of Ireland.

Dr. Pat Brougham, assistant professor of criminal justice, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is teaching a one-credit course in Dublin during the university's spring break March 5-13.

Students from both the Bradford and Pittsburgh campuses will be taking “Comparative Justice in Ireland.”

“It's fascinating to look at another country,” Brougham said. “It's an opportunity for students to see our system in a different light.”

Brougham traveled to Ireland last summer to case out various locations, which may include a tour of Mount Joy prison and a meeting with its governor (what we'd call a warden); a visit to a juvenile justice facility; a tour of a criminal court and a chance to sit in on proceedings; meeting with a barrister (lawyer); visits to historical Kilmainham Gaol, the Cork City Gaol and Spike Island, which is a prison island much like Alcatraz.

Brougham promises a little regular sightseeing as well, on side trips to Dublin Castle and the Blarney Stone.

Brougham has taught comparative justice since 2002. She said she has always wanted to teach a study-abroad class, and turned first to Ireland because there would not be a language barrier. However, she said she'd love to explore the same idea - perhaps for a longer period of time - in other European countries.

For more information, visit www.abroad.pitt.edu/comparativejustice.