I aspire to be a corrections officer. I have been working toward my degree in criminal justice. Until recently, I had planned on a career on the investigative side of the criminal justice system. However, after I have completed this block of classes, I began taking a look at some other types of careers in the criminal justice system. Through this course, I have decided to narrow my path to that of a corrections officer. Before I begin learning the ethical standards and ethical code of a corrections officer, I need to know and understand my own personal code of ethics. I am an African-American mother of three working toward a degree in Criminal Justice. To develop my personal code of ethics, I have chosen to use the ethics of care framework after carefully reading the section in week two of this course that explained the differences between the major ethical systems. I am listing my personal code of ethics below.
As an American, a female, and a mother, the way I live my life is a reflection of my beliefs and is representative of the type of person I am.
I will love and protect my family; I will be honest, listen, and help my friends and family to the best of my ability; I will be a friend and be fair to those I encounter. I will not be prejudice or judgmental toward others who believe differently than I. I will evaluate a situation for what it is before I make an assumption or judgment. I will use the tools I have acquired through personal experience and education to process any situation in front of me. I will work toward being a good Christian and seek out goodness. I will live my life as an example for my family.
I will never harm another person; I will never steal from others. I will never intentionally set out to hurt someone even if they have hurt me through vindictive behavior. I will never stop believing that there is good in the world. I will never give up.
The code of ethics
References: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJST/OfficerRequirements/CO_Conduct.htm http://www.advocateweb.org/HOPE/correctionsethics.asp SUPPLEMENT: Major Ethical Systems (p. 49) http://www.doc.state.ok.us/newsroom/facts/DOC_Facts_At_A_Glance_April%202008.pdf