focus on Bowenian Family Systems?

Abstract

In this paper, we will discuss the role of ethics in correctional counseling. Just like in every setting of law, they are some rules and conventions that have to be followed to ensure and safeguard the rights of offenders while counselors are helping them. We will start by discussing the overall role and goal of correctional counselors and correctional therapy and will discuss how these ethical duties apply to correctional counselors.

Discussion

Correctional counselors work with offenders, both in and out of reason to recognize and identify the behavior behind the offense and to prescribe appropriate interventions, treatment plans, and therapies to prevent recidivism. Correctional counselors work in prisons, rehabilitation centers and as probation or parole officers. The specific role and responsibilities of each counselor varies according to the setting or the system they work with. In correctional facilities, counselors provide case management services which involve assessing the needs of the offender and linking them to available services. The most important goal for a correctional counselor is to make sure the offender does not re-offend or get involved in activities that may pose harm to people around them.

Correctional Counselling has two main goals and objectives, the first goal is to ensure that an offender does not re-offend, and to reduce the chances of recidivism. All correctional counseling programs and activities are designed to eliminate the chances of recidivism or reduce them. Failure in correctional counseling is measured by increasing the chances of recidivism, an opinion which is considered problematic by many because reducing recidivism is a collective responsibility of the entire justice system. (Gendreau, Goggin, French, & Smith, 2006; Latessa, Cullen, & Gendreau, 2002).

The second goal of correctional counseling is to help offenders ponder and self-reflect so that they can overcome their shortcomings by developing more accurate social cognitions and self-governance principles.

Disclosure refers to the agreement between any two parties in a legal setting, where the parties are required to discuss and disclose documents and facts that are required to settle a dispute or remove any misconceptions or misunderstandings in a legal proceeding. The disclosure must be properly dealt with, as it can affect the final outcome and hurt the credibility of the entity that has not participated properly. For offenders, it's important to share all details of their life and all aspects of the crime affected to their correctional counselors under full disclosure.

Every modern organization has their own set of ethical codes, which govern how individuals should act and react in certain situations these are the rules they are expected to live by under any circumstances. Enforcement of ethical rules by private institutions is not mandatory but when it comes to ethics regulations in legal systems, public, and correctional settings, it's important that all prescribed ethical values are practiced to protect the rights of all involved entities, especially those under trial or consideration (Latessa, E. J., Cullen, F. T., & Gendreau, P. 2002). If a practitioner is found to violate those ethical practices strict legal action should be taken against them for taking advantage of an individual in a tough spot.

It' is important to educate inmates and offenders about their legal rights so that correctional officers dealing with them can't manipulate them or pressurize them or take advantage of them while they are in vulnerable positions. Often counselors try to get work done without actually caring about the outcome for the client, and this leads into offenders landing into situations which makes things even worse for them. To avoid this, it's important to educate them about their rights and ethical obligations of the counselors (Minor, W. W. 1981)

Conclusion

Correctional Counselling is a very delicate field and it requires great attention to detail to ensure that nobody is everyone is done right by. To ensure that a set of moral and ethical values are prescribed by legal systems and it is important that they are enforced and not only that but offenders are educated about their rights and these obligations so that top level of justice can be offered to all.

References

· Gendreau, P., Goggin, C., French, S., & Smith, P. (2006). Practicing psychology in correctional

settings. In I. B. Weiner & A. K. Hess

· Minor, W. W. (1981). The neutralization of criminal offense. Criminology, 18, 103–120.

Schrink, J., & Hamm, M. S. (1989). Misconceptions concerning correctional counseling. Journal

of Offender Counseling Services and Rehabilitation, 14, 133–147.

· Latessa, E. J., Cullen, F. T., & Gendreau, P. (2002). Beyond correctional quackery—Professional-

ism and the possibility of effective treatment. Federal Probation, 66, 3–49.