ACA Code of Ethics
For this assignment, you will answer the questions on the one-page Case Study: Probation or Prison Template document, which is located within the Interactive below.
Step 1: Review the ACA Code of Ethics.
Step 2: Review the APPA Code of Ethics.
Step 3: read the Interactive.
- Be sure to download the Case Study: Probation or Prison Template document (located within the Interactive).
Step 4: Following the instructions in the template, write your answers within the template.
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ACA Code of Ethics
Preamble
The American correctional Association expects of its members unfailing honesty, respect for the dignity and individuality of human beings and a commitment to professional and compassionate service. To this end, we subscribe to the following principles.
o Members shall respect and protect the civil and legal rights of all individuals.
o Members shall treat every professional situation with concern for the welfare of the individuals involved and with no intent to personal gain.
o Members shall maintain relationships with colleagues to promote mutual respect within the profession and improve the quality of service.
o Members shall make public criticism of their colleagues or their agencies only when warranted, verifiable, and constructive.
o Members shall respect the importance of all disciplines within the criminal justice system and work to improve cooperation with each segment.
o Members shall honor the public’s right to information and share information with the public to the extent permitted by law subject to individuals’ right to privacy.
o Members shall respect and protect the right of the public to be safeguarded from criminal activity.
o Members shall refrain from using their positions to secure personal privileges or advantages.
o Members shall refrain from allowing personal interest to impair objectivity in the performance of duty while acting in an official capacity.
o Members shall refrain from entering into any formal or informal activity or agreement which presents a conflict of interest or is inconsistent with the conscientious performance of duties.
o Members shall refrain from accepting any gifts, services, or favors that is or appears to be improper or implies an obligation inconsistent with the free and objective exercise of professional duties.
o Members shall clearly differentiate between personal views/statements and views/statements/positions made on behalf of the agency or Association.
o Members shall report to appropriate authorities any corrupt or unethical behaviors in which there is sufficient evidence to justify review.
o Members shall refrain from discriminating against any individual because of race, gender, creed, national origin, religious affiliation, age, disability, or any other type of prohibited discrimination.
o Members shall preserve the integrity of private information; they shall refrain from seeking information on individuals beyond that which is necessary to implement responsibilities and perform their duties; members shall refrain from revealing nonpublic information unless expressly authorized to do so.
o Members shall make all appointments, promotions, and dismissals in accordance with established civil service rules, applicable contract agreements, and individual merit, rather than furtherance of personal interests.
o Members shall respect, promote, and contribute to a work place that is safe, healthy, and free of harassment in any form.
Code of Ethics
for the Field of Community Corrections
I will render professional service to the justice system and the community at large in
effecting the social adjustment of the offender.
I will uphold the law with dignity, displaying an awareness of my responsibility to offenders.
while recognizing the right of the public to be safeguarded from criminal activity.
I will strive to be objective in the performance of my duties, recognizing the inalienable
right of all persons, appreciating the inherent worth of the individual, and respecting those
confidences which can be reposed in me.
I will conduct my personal life with decorum, neither accepting nor granting favors in
connection with my office.
I will cooperate with my co-workers and related agencies and will continually strive to
improve my professional competence through the seeking and sharing of knowledge and
understanding.
I will distinguish clearly, in public, between my statements and actions as an individual and
as a representative of my profession.
I will encourage policy, procedures, and personnel practices, which will enable others to
conduct themselves in accordance with the values, goals, and objectives of the American
Probation and Parole Association.
I recognize my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held
as long as I am true to the ethics of the American Probation and Parole Association.
I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my
chosen profession.
Introduction
Imagine you are a probation supervisor for a county court within the state of Georgia, with Judge Longworth presiding. You came up through the system first by working as an assistant for your state’s juvenile correction center and then by taking advantage of a criminal justice scholarship program. You completed your degree in Administration of Justice which afforded you an entry-level position with the community resources division of the state’s department of
corrections. It took you seven long years, but you finally worked your way up to the position you have today as a probation supervisor.
It wasn’t an easy road. You could have easily ended up on probation yourself. As a single parent of two, you know what it was like to be on food stamps and to declare bankruptcy. Through hard work and the relationships, you built along the way, you were able to avoid the pitfalls many of your clients fall into. Your journey allows you to empathize with your client, Mary Lee Smith.
Mary Lee Smith
Meet Mary Lee Smith – a new case on your docket. By no means is Mary new to being on probation, she has a long history with the criminal justice system, but her background explains why.
Learn more about Mary.
shoplifting
identity theft
prostitution
Mary Lee Smith, now 30 years old, married at 17. She quit high school to move out west with her husband who was in the army. By the age of 20, Mary was already divorced with two kids. Not having a degree or any marketable skills, the only jobs available to Mary were minimum wage. To supplement her income, Mary turned to shoplifting, identity theft, and prostitution for which she received convictions but has not served any time in prison. She was also charged with lesser offenses for petty larceny, but the prosecutor has decided to abandon these charges. To date, Mary has not served a day in prison.
Judge Longworth previously used restitution, suspended sentencing, and probation to attempt to rehabilitate Mary. However, Mary’s criminal conduct has persisted because she cannot budget her food stamps, welfare payments, or part-time minimum-wage employment into a sustainable existence for her and her children. To make matters worse, the welfare safety net that has helped keep Mary and her children afloat will cease within 2 years.
Judge’s Chambers
Judge Longworth has called you, the probation supervisor, into his chambers before Mary’s hearing.
Observe the exchange with Judge Longworth.
Judge Longworth acknowledges that you see a lot of redeeming qualities in Mary but, he isn’t convinced. He asks you directly if you really believe Mary deserves to stay in the community given her persistent criminal behavior. He expresses his concern about the community being fed up with repeat offenders. He tells you that he believes the only way Mary is going to learn to respect other people’s property is by being deprived of her own freedom.
You are on the spot. It is your job to recommend what to do about Mary. Your opinion has a lot of weight with the judge. Your answer could put Mary in prison or give her another chance on probation. The judge will make up his own mind, but you know he values your judgement.
Questions
Objective:
Answer the following questions in well-developed sentences or short paragraphs.
Question 1:
Should Mary Lee be sent to prison or allowed to remain on probation?
Question 2:
Is there anything else you, as a probation officer, can do to help Mary Lee make a more successful adjustment regarding living within the limits of the law?
Question 3:
Is it enough for the courts or society to tell someone like Mary Lee not to commit petty larceny, or does our system have a moral duty to provide her with support services that could increase her chance of success?
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