Corruption And Abuses In The Correctional System

Corruption is a problem in prisons about which we hear very little, except when there is an escape from custody or other scandal that makes the media. The closed nature of correctional institutions has made the activities that go on within them less visible to the outside world. While some persons might be inclined to dismiss correctional corruption as an issue, this view ignores the scale of criminality and misconduct that can go on in prison and the impact it can have upon not just the good order of the prison or the rights of prisoners but on the prospects for successful reintegration of ex-prisoners into society. This book is the first to examine the phenomenon in any detail or to suggest what might be done to reduce its incidence and the harms that can arise from it. Andrew Goldsmith, Mark Halsey and Andrew Groves argue that it is not enough to tackle corruption alone. Rather there should be a broader attempt to promote what the authors call ‘correctional integrity’.

Federal, state, county, and municipal police forces all have their own codes of conduct, yet the ethics of being a police officer remain perplexing and are often difficult to apply in dynamic situations. The police misconduct statistics are staggering and indicate that excessive use of force comprises almost a quarter of misconduct cases, with sexual harassment, fraud/theft, and false arrest being the next most prevalent factors. The ethical issues and dilemmas in criminal justice also reach deep into the legal professions, the structure and administration of justice in society, and the personal characteristics of those in the criminal justice professions. The Encyclopedia of Criminal Justice Ethics includes A to Z entries by experts in the field that explore the scope of ethical decision making and behaviors within the spheres of criminal justice systems, including policing, corrections, courts, forensic science, and policy analysis and research. This two-volume set is available in both print and electronic formats. Features: Entries are authored and signed by experts in the field and conclude with references and further readings, as well as cross references to related entries that guide readers to the next steps in their research journeys. A Reader's Guide groups related entries by broad topic areas and themes, making it easy for readers to quickly identify related entries. A Chronology highlights the development of the field and places material into historical context; a Glossary defines key terms from the fields of law and ethics; and a Resource Guide provides lists of classic books, academic journals, websites and associations focused on criminal justice ethics. Reports and statistics from such sources as the FBI, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court are included in an appendix. In the electronic version, the Reader's Guide, index, and cross references combine to provide effective search-and-browse capabilities. The Encyclopedia of Criminal Justice Ethics provides a general, non-technical yet comprehensive resource for students who wish to understand the complexities of criminal justice ethics.

Through this handbook, UNODC seeks to formally acknowledge and articulate a problem endured by all jurisdictions and to underline the international commitment to addressing it. The aim of this handbook is not simply to address corruption once it occurs but also to help Member States prevent corruption and protect prisoners, staff and communities from its insidious consequences. This is without prejudice to the fact that the management of prisons is one of the most difficult and demanding tasks that societies require, and many prison leaders and staff work with great professionalism and commitment to provide safe, decent and just conditions in prisons.

This is a book of research and policy aimed at raising ethical standards in criminal justice practice. Around the world, corruption continues to undermine the rule of law and the application of due process rights. Misconduct by criminal justice professionals challenges democratic authority and the equality and freedom of ordinary citizens. There is an urgent need for academics, advocates and policymakers to speak with one voice in articulating universal ethical standards and, most importantly, in prescribing systems and techniques that must be in place for criminal justice to be genuinely accountable and as free from misconduct as possible. The focus of the book is on the core components of the criminal justice system — police, courts and corrections — and the core groups within this system: sworn police officers; judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers; and custodial and community correctional officers. By using quality research and policy analysis of these core components Professor Prenzler formulates a basic checklist that can be used to assess the ethical quality and accountability of the criminal justice system in any jurisdiction.

Corrections Corrupt: A True Reflection of Nearly 20 Years as a Corrections Officer By: Craig P. Wallin For nearly twenty years, Craig P. Wallin has worked in an adult male correctional institution. Corrections Corrupt goes inside and provides a true and accurate depiction of the reality for corrections officers and inmates. Wallin’s stories, while ranging from tragic to frightening to small moments of humor, are meant to inform the public on the truth behind bars and in the boardrooms as well as provide education for others seeking to enter this line of work as to what mental and physical struggles they will face with each day.

"The chapter also outlines the approach of the book, which provides a qualitative assessment of changes within the justice system and situates them within a broader policy and historical context. This perspective explores how youth are being treated, what is happening to those no longer sent to state-run prisons, and the complex political story behind how this reform model developed and garnered widespread support. These reforms contribute to a larger pattern of American social policy development toward devolution, privatization, and an emphasis on individual responsibility, rather than on eliminating economic and political inequalities"--

This book provides in-depth, orignal and critical analyses by leading scholars of the penal systems of 16 nations around the world, focusing on changes in social structure, culture and punishment since 1975. Contributors provide an international and comparative context in which to understand the impact of recent profound economic, social and political changes on penal theory and practice.