Anti-corruption strategy

Anti-Corruption Strategy

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Anti-Corruption Strategy

Prisons are places filled with people convicted of a crime creating a dangerous criminal subculture. It is essential for prison staff to be above approach and not to lower themselves to the level of prisoners by engaging in corruption. When a prison is experiencing a problem with corruption including brutality it is essential to develop an effective anti-corruption strategy to eliminate the corruption and promote the culture of good practices and zero tolerance. An effective anti-corruption strategy will reduce and prevent corruption while increasing transparency.

The first step in developing an anti-corruption strategy is to understand the extent of the problem. This involves conducting an investigation into the extent of the corruption into the prison. After the research is conducted, through interviewing prison staff and prisoners and reviewing video tapes, prison officials involved in corruption especially those brutalizing prisoners will be prosecuted and terminated. This will send a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated in the prison setting and prison officials involved in corruption will face potential criminal charges and termination.

Next the prison needs to establish a clear anti-corruption policy outlining what type of behavior is forbidden as well as outlining the expected behavior of prison officials (Coonjohn, 2011). It is important to develop an anti-corruption attitude and encourage ethical behavior through an anti-corruption policy. Once the policy is established it must be communicated to prison staff. Correctional staff must be aware of the ethical expectations through an established ethical code. The management must be encouraged and trained on creating an ethical work environment where prison officials apply sound ethical decision making. This includes complying with anti-corruption laws.

Once the anti-corruption policy is created and communicated to all stakeholders the prison will need to establish a means of investigating officers accused of corruption offenses. In the future if prison guards engage in corrupt behavior their needs to be away for prisoners to report this behavior as well as prison guards. It can be difficult to be a whistleblower if you are a member of law enforcement. The identity of the whistleblower must be kept anonymous. Prisoners that report the corruption should also be allowed to remain anonymous. Prisoners will also fear backlash from the corrupt prison guards.

An effective anti-corruption policy will clearly outline what constitute as misconduct and/or violations of law should be clearly stated in a written policy statement and be incorporated in orientation and continuing training (Souryal, 2009). When acts of corruption are reported by prisoners or prison staff theses allegations must be investigated and guilty offenders swiftly punished. Corruption in the prison environment will only make a dangerous and volatile environment more dangerous.

References

Coonjohn, J. (2011). Developing a Strategic Implementation Plan for Anti-Corruption.

Retrieved October 22, 2013 from

https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/Afghanistan/Crisis%20Documents/Governance

Souryal, S. (2009). Deterring Corruption by Prison Personnel: A Principle-Based Perspective.

Retrieved October 22, 2013 from

https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=248265