Code of ethics plays important role in any organizational setting, as it helps in regulating the behaviors of staff from various backgrounds. Code of ethics is crucial in ensuring ethical and moral behavior and decision-making, including professionalism in a workplace. Therefore, parole and probation departments should also have an effective code of ethics to reduce recidivism, which may affect the reputation of an organization.
The main role of parole and probation departments is to supervise people who have been put on probation and parole (Seiter & West, 2003). Generally, both parole and probation agencies share the same duties. They both make a planned visit to the workplaces and homes of offenders. In addition, they work closely with community and religious groups to monitor and evaluate the behaviors of offenders. In addition, they both ensure that people under their supervision attend rehabilitation and job training programs as instructed by the court (Seiter & West, 2003). Therefore, it is the responsibility of parole and probation departments to ensure that offenders to not repeat their previous offenses. However, the two departments differ in that parole department supervise offenders who have been released from prisons while probation department supervises the people who have been sentenced to serve in probation.
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There are a number of parole and probation agencies with the effective good code of ethics. However, the three agencies that I have narrowed on include Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association (FPPOA), California Probation, Parole, and Correctional Association (CPPCA), and American Probation and Parole Association (APPA).
The three agencies have a lot of similarities, especially when it comes to the elements of a code of ethics. Some of the codes of ethics elements that are common in the three agencies include professionalism, objectivity, cooperation, respect, and lack of discrimination. The codes of ethics of the three agencies emphasize the need to render professional services to court, probation and parole authorities, and the community at large. They also encourage their staff to be objective in undertaking their duties, as they are supposed to respect the rights of prisoners and those in probation. In addition, the examples of the code of ethics from the three agencies emphasize on the need of cooperation among staff and other related agencies.
However, the code of ethics designed by FPPOA is more comprehensive than those of APPA and CPPCA while at the same time including elements such as recognizing office as a symbol of public faith (APPA, 2009). The code of ethics by designed FPPOA is clear and can easily be understood by staff. CPPCA’s code of ethics is simple and it only briefly elaborates the elements (CPPCA, 2016). Hence, the codes of ethics from the three agencies mainly differ in terms of the definition of the elements.
I will recommend the FPPOA’s code of ethics to my county parole and probation department mainly because of its elements such as professionals and the need for staff to conduct themselves with decorum (FPPOA, 2016). My county’s parole and probation department have been found to have a high rate of recidivism majorly because of unprofessionalism of staff. As a result, its code of conduct should emphasize on professionalism and need to respect the rights of prisoners and people put on probation.
I have confidence in the new code of ethics to advance proficiency in the department because it will clearly define how staff will be required to behave and act when they are on duty. It will also ensure that staff understands how to work and cooperate with stakeholders such as the courts and regulatory bodies, including offenders. At the same time, the new code of conduct will ensure that employees are accountable for their actions and behaviors.
In conclusion, in order to implement the new code of ethics my agencies, it would be necessary for staff to be trained on the rights and privileges of prisoners and offenders under probation. Staff will be trained on how to conduct their duties without violating the rights of offenders. Workers will also be trained on their roles and duties and how to work and collaborate with courts and the local communities.
References
American Parole and Probation Association (APPA). (2009). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.appa-net.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=IA_CodeEthics
CPPCA. (2016). Code of Conduct. Retrieved from http://www.cppca.org/about-us/mission
FPPOA. (2016). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.fppoa.org/code-of-ethics
Seiter, R. P., & West, A. D. (2003). Supervision styles in probation and parole: An analysis of activities. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation , 38 (2), 57-75.
