Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice-Spring 2014

Ethics

Ethics are concepts of right and wrong

conduct which addresses moral diversity.

Different organizations require governance of

ethics among their personnel to foster

prosperity and setting up good morals.

ObjectivesIncrease knowhow of the ethical dimensions

of institution of justice

to deliberate on dilemmas of ethics and issues

to match actions and decisions with known

values, duties and principles

Integrating ethical standards to criminal justiceEthics training.Ethics in reward and discipline policies.Ethics in selection and promoting policies.Structures and offices e.g. ethics office,

ethics officers, and ethics champions.Ethics communication strategy.Reporting channels and whistle blowing

hotlines.

Code of ethicsIs a set of written principles that stipulate

what behaviour is acceptable and one which

is not acceptable.

Breach of the of code have penalties

Criminal justice ethicsSystems make codes which are binding.

Everybody in the system is expected to

adhere to them.

Not all follow instead creates discretion.

The process of decision making follows clear

steps ‘the acromn ISSUES’

the acronym ISSUES: Identify issue and decision-making process

Study the facts

Select reasonable options

Understand values & duties

Evaluate & justify options

Sustain and review the plan

ValuesMoral issues which determines the

personality traits.

Good morals determine character and

behaviour.

In society to uphold the high moral standards

proper justice framework should be in place

and personnel trained.

Ethical cultureCultures are people way of doing things.

Different cultures do things in a diverse

manner

Our diversity should not discriminate one in

terms of justice

Everybody has a right to a free and fair trial.

impact of technology and media on the ethicsTechnology has helped foster integration and

understanding of different cultural issues and

ethics.

The advancement have helped to improve the

ethics knowledge of different diverse

communities.

Also technology has impacted negatively on

ethics by helping in dilution of cultural

values.

referencesBayles, M. D. (1981). Professional ethics. Belmont,

CA: Wadsworth.Carole L. Jurkiewicz and Robert A. Giacalone, “A

values framework for measuring the impact of workplace spirituality on organisational performance”, Journal of Business Ethics 49, 129 (2004).

D. Brian, “The Future of Business Ethics in Africa”, IBER Vol. 4, (2001).

Geetanee Napal, “Ethical decision-making in business: focus on Mauritius”, Business Ethics 12, 54 (2003).