The codes of ethics in criminal justice are comprehensive and as such, cover numerous disciplinary and professional boundaries. Those who practice, administer, study, research or teach in any of the disciplines of the criminal justice devote themselves to the limitations imposed upon the respective codes. Criminal Justice’s codes of ethics are commonly social issues; however, some disciplines express general ideologies concerning an organization’s perspectives, as well as procedures to be employed in particular ethical situations.
Those who go behind a specific discipline in criminal justice must be conscious that their externalization as well as internalization of their respective duties correspondingly demands them to have ethical consideration at every level. In other words, organizations and professionals of the criminal justice system must live by their codes of ethics. Law Enforcement Agencies The ethical standards of law enforcement are broadly written in order to afford liberal applications in varied contexts and roles.
Nevertheless, the deep-seated ethics of every component of the criminal justice are to serve the nation and to provide protection to property and lives (Advocate Web, n. d). Their codes of ethics as well require them to protect every individual against corruption, and the weak against intimidation or oppression, and the peaceful against disorder or violence. They are required to respect the Constitutional rights of equality, liberty and justice of all people.
The guidelines of law enforcement code of ethics include maintaining professional image, integrity, and confidentiality at all times; employing only required force; exercising good judgment; and acting without prejudice. Corrections Agencies Relatively akin to the law enforcement, the fundamental canon of corrections officer is to serve the community; to protect the property and lives within his or her jurisdiction; to guard every individual within his or her control against intimidation, oppression or deception; to put off disorder and violence; and to preserve and respect the constitutional rights of every one (Advocate Web, n.
d). Even though, both the Corrections Officers and Law Enforcement’s codes of ethics vary from every community, nevertheless they are often relatively analogous. Probation Agencies The code of ethics of probation officers requires them to be committed in providing professional service to the parole authorities, the courts, and the public at large in implementing the social enhancement of the lawbreaker (The Alaska Legal Resource Center, 2006). They are also required to defend the law with self-confidence and with absolute consciousness of the stature and prestige of the judicial system of which they are a significant component.
For that reason, the code of ethics of probation officers lays down responsibility to their responsibility to the profession, to the community, criminal justice system and to courts, as well as to the offender. Parole Agencies Relatively similar to probation, the responsibilities of parole agencies replicate both therapeutic model, which demands improving the wellbeing of the particular lawbreaker, and the intervention model, which can range from reform of capitalist society to the adjustment of persons’ behavior.
The codes of ethics of both parole and probation agencies necessitate their agents and officers to provide professional services equally to the community at large as well as to the justice system in supporting the lawbreaker to accomplish social adjustment (The Alaska Legal Resource Center, 2006). Accordingly, the agents and officers are obliged to guarantee that the community is protected from the future unlawful activity of parolees and probationers.
