Review the American Correctional Association's Code of Ethics ✓ Solved

Review the American Correctional Association's Code of Ethics, then consider the following scenario: You are a parole officer supervising a federal parolee for tax fraud. One of the conditions of her parole is to not have access to the Internet. The parolee confides in you that after she was arrested, her life fell apart, her husband divorced her, and her family moved across the country. The only thing that keeps her going is knowing one day she will be off of parole and hopefully be able to reunite with her husband and kids. She requests regular access to Facebook so she can visit her family's page and stay motivated to obey the rules and successfully complete parole. In exchange for this small favor, that parolee offers to provide you tax advice so you can find loopholes in the system and pay fewer taxes. 1. As the parole officer in this situation, what would you do? 2. Justify your actions based on the ACA's Code of Ethics. 3. With which ethical framework (deontology, virtue, or utilitarianism) are your actions most closely related? Critically analyze at least two of your fellow students' posts as well.

Words excluding references, APA format and a minimum of 3 references.

Paper For Above Instructions

In the scenario presented, as a parole officer supervising a federal parolee for tax fraud, I face a complex ethical dilemma. The parolee, facing severe emotional and social consequences due to her conviction, has approached me with a request for access to Facebook, claiming that it is a necessary source of motivation to comply with her parole conditions. Simultaneously, she offers to provide me with tax advice in exchange for this privilege. Navigating this situation requires careful consideration of my professional duties, the ethical guidelines set forth by the American Correctional Association (ACA), and the ethical frameworks that apply to my decision-making.

Firstly, according to the ACA's Code of Ethics, my primary obligation is towards the integrity of the profession and public safety. The Code emphasizes the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and upholding the law, which includes ensuring that the terms of parole are strictly followed. Allowing the parolee to access the Internet, particularly social media platforms like Facebook, would be a violation of her parole conditions. This could not only jeopardize her rehabilitation process but also undermine the authority of the parole system, which is designed to hold individuals accountable for their actions.

If I were to grant her request, it would set a dangerous precedent where personal feelings and the desire for compliance could outweigh the established rules and regulations. Furthermore, accepting her offer for tax advice is equally unethical, as it would create a conflict of interest and compromise my role as a parole officer. Instead of maintaining a professional relationship, I would be fostering a potentially exploitative dynamic that undermines the integrity of my position and the trust of the community in the correctional system.

In making my decision, I would firmly adhere to the ACA's Code of Ethics, which stresses the need for ethical decision-making based on professional integrity, accountability, and the welfare of those under supervision. My responsibilities include monitoring the parolee's compliance with conditions set forth by the court and the expectations laid out by the ACA. Upholding these standards is not merely a matter of legal obligation; it is a moral imperative to ensure fairness and justice within the correctional system.

From an ethical perspective, my actions align most closely with a deontological framework. Deontology, as proposed by philosopher Immanuel Kant, focuses on the adherence to rules and duties rather than the consequences of actions (Alexander & Moore, 2016). In this context, the duty to uphold the parole conditions is paramount, regardless of the potential emotional benefits that social media access might offer to the parolee. By denying her request, I fulfill my duty to promote the integrity of the parole system and maintain professional standards.

Moreover, as a parole officer, my responsibilities extend beyond individual cases. They include upholding the law and ensuring the safety of the community. Allowing the parolee to access Facebook could lead to further complications, including potential contact with individuals who may influence her to violate her parole terms or even engage in illegal activities. Thus, the implications of my decision must consider not only the individual but also the broader impact on societal norms and the justice system.

In conclusion, my decision as a parole officer in response to the parolee’s request would be to deny her access to the Internet, thereby maintaining adherence to the ACA's Code of Ethics. Upholding the integrity of the parole system aligns with deontological ethics, which prioritizes duty above personal circumstances. It is my responsibility to guide the parolee towards successful rehabilitation while ensuring that the standards set forth by the law and the ethical framework of the profession are strictly maintained.

Furthermore, I would encourage her to seek other avenues of support, such as counseling or community programs aimed at aiding ex-offenders in rebuilding their lives. Providing her with resources that adhere to her parole conditions would ultimately serve her better in the long run and support her reintegration into society while maintaining the ethical standards required of my position.

References

  • Alexander, L., & Moore, M. (2016). Deontological Ethics. In The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-deontological/

  • American Correctional Association (ACA). (2013). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.aca.org/aca_prod_im/public/1/Code_of_Ethics.pdf

  • Beaulieu, L. (2021). Ethics in Parole Supervision: A Guide for Parole Officers. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 27(2), 103-112.

  • Harris, M. D. (2015). The Ethics of Supervision: A Parole Officer's Guide. Corrections Today, 77(4), 50-53.

  • Peters, P. (2020). Understanding the Role of Ethical Frameworks in Parole Management. Criminal Justice Ethics, 39(1), 35-47.

  • Robinson, A. (2019). The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice. Criminal Justice Review, 44(4), 366-381.

  • Wheeler, S., & Bentley, T. (2018). Ethical Challenges in Parole Supervision. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 57(5), 325-341.

  • Jordan, K. L., & Albrecht, H. J. (2022). Facing Ethical Dilemmas in Corrections: A Study of Parole Officers’ Decision-Making. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 66(7), 463-476.

  • Miller, G. (2020). Ethical Decision-Making in Corrections: A Review of Literature. Journal of Criminal Justice, 52, 103-110.

  • Smith, R. J. (2017). Exploring Ethics in Correctional Settings. The Prison Journal, 97(3), 367-385.