ETHICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Ethics in Criminal Justice System

Ethics in Criminal Justice System

Introduction

Criminal justice system is defined as establishment of criminal laws with proper set of procedures and rules according to social and legal scenarios. It is a procedure followed by public officials in order to impose punishments for a crime. (Kleinig, 1996)

Criminal Justice Ethics

Criminal justice ethics comprises of interconnected functions affiliated with the security of rights against the encroachment of rights of others. Legislative ethics are among the fundamental issues of criminal justice system in which law and policies related to penalization and criminalization are made. It will focus on the law enforcement or police related ethics- concerns with the governing of the activities of those who are responsible for the execution of the will of legislation, judiciary ethics- concerns with the governing of the actions of those who communicate and apply the will of legislation and correctional ethics- concerns the governing of those who are responsible for the execution of judicial will. Furthermore, ethical issues might also occur in some areas such as forensic sciences. (Rachels, 1999)

Legislative matters which have significant implementations for ethics in criminal justice include the allotment of resources, rules related to social practices that a parliament may wish to disagree with and the punishment policies. Police ethics comprise include the discussion about the details of authority of police and its exercises. It also reflects the role of the police and how it should conduct its exercises. Besides other arguments and debates about the role of police, the main problems of their ethics have created concerns. Although, more broad questions regarding the limitations of diplomacy, privacy, solidarity along with the conduction of police organizations are also included in the purview. The codes of ethics which are spread by lot of police organizations have addressed many problems specifically related to police. (Rawls, 2005)

Punishment theory has preoccupied the correctional ethics by concentrating on what should be the correct response to the wrong doings? A debate has extended consideration on racism, the purity of life and the importance of decision making in some uncertain situations. These frequent discussions have thought that the punishments would be taking the shape of an imprisonment or a fine. To some people for whom punishment could be rightful option, the correctional ethics comprises of the relation between the inmates and the officers of the prisons. It may also include the relationship among the staff, the administration of the prison and officers. It could also be the relationship between the legislators, communities they serve and prison administration. Some practices carried on in prison like, strip searches, visiting rules and solitary confinement also bring attention to important ethical questions which rarely get consideration due to some exaggerated security issues.

A complete criminal justice ethic will have all the relevant systematic decisions that have implications on people's well-being, considering whether it involves the usage of lethal forces, the role played by health care persons present in prisons, the arrangement of requirements for entry and encouragement policies for ...