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Social Work Ethics in Probation and Parole (From Social Work in Juvenile and Criminal Justice Settings, P 241-251, 1983, A R Roberts, ed. - See NCJ-91641)

NCJ Number
91651
Author(s)
R Scheurell
Date Published
1983
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines some of the conflicts that arise in the application of social work ethics to probation and parole functions in the areas of relationships to clients, colleagues, employer, community, and social work profession.
Abstract
Some of the major potential conficts that emerge between ethical concerns and correctional practice are in the areas of client self-determination, confidentiality, and acceptance. Client self-determination is limited by legal status, and confidentiality between worker and client is limited by the worker's obligation to report new offenses and suspected offenses to law enforcement officials even though they may be reported to the worker in a confidential manner. Client acceptance may be difficult because of the prevalence of deviant behavior and attitudes that may pose psychological threats to the worker. A potential area of ethical conflict in the relationship between a worker and colleagues is respect and courtesy for colleagues. Workers may be tempted to criticize a colleague before a client when that colleague is deemed not to have provided proper supervision. In their relationships with their employers, workers are expected to meet the primary objective of protecting society from the injurious behavior of clients, while rehabilitation of the client is secondary. This presents a problem for a worker who is committed to client welfare. The worker is often called upon to interpret corrections policy and plans to the community. In such cases, it is important for the worker to distinguish between agency perspective, a professional social work perspective, and individual perspective. Ethical concerns the social work profession bear upon the affect of private behavior on professional effectiveness, the distinction between professional and personal views, and accurate representation of professional competency.

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