Question

Briefly describe the three explanations (individual, organizational, societal) for misconduct among correctional professionals.

Answer 1

Correctional professionals do unlawful and corrupt acts mostly because of a lack of fundamental principles such as integrity, honesty, and ethics. Any company that has the authority and influence over another person's life must hire personnel who are capable of upholding their own beliefs while also adhering to the organizational and professional principles of their profession and correction facility. There are several explanations for the misconduct among correctional professionals which include the personal vices of an individual (Harizanova & Stoyanova, 2020) l. For instance, a correctional officer who lacks leadership skills and discipline may abuse power for personal gain. The professional’s misconduct will be a result of their on individual character. As a result, the officer may also take gratuities in exchange for extra attention and protection during lawful operations. This behavior may be a consequence of their own vice of greed. We can also have an organizational explanation for the misconduct among correctional professionals.

The organizations where these professionals work may be a failed system that may be tolerating and not standing firm against misconduct among correctional professionals. For instance, a correctional officer may be known for being notorious in mistreating or extorting inmates but the correctional facility fails to take an action to stop that. The organization might have created an enabling environment for correctional officers to have unlawful behaviors.  Moreover, the organization might have failed to offer training and organizational support to correctional professionals leading to misconduct among them. The organization may have also hired people who are less qualified to work as correctional professionals (Berman & Lubelczyk, 2016). Additionally, society might have played a role in the element of misconduct among correctional professionals. Today, society has normalized corruption in every organization. Many people take part in corruption or even witness it and do nothing about it. Therefore, the correctional professionals may emulate the society and take part in corruption in the correctional facilities without fear of consequences. They may take bribes from inmates for special treatments or to protect illicit activities.

References

Berman, D., & Lubelczyk, R. (2016). Readers Write: Insights From Practicing Correctional Health Professionals. Journal Of Correctional Health Care, 13(3), 148-149. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078345807303141

Harizanova, S., & Stoyanova, R. (2020). Burnout among nurses and correctional officers. Work, 65(1), 71-77. https://doi.org/10.3233/wor-193059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Correctional professionals do unlawful and corrupt acts mostly because of a lack of fundamental principles such as integrity, honesty, and ethics.