Criminal Justice Ethics is an overview of the need for and use of ethical behaviour by all players in the criminal justice system. The book is organized in two parts. The first part will cover ethical issues and dilemmas in the criminal justice system, and the second part will focus on the major philosophical theories of ethics. Highly illustrative case studies are used throughout Criminal Justice Ethics to demonstrate the ethical issues facing criminal justice professionals today in applied terms. The future development of public policy related to the criminal justice system is also considered.

Table of Contents

PART ONE - THE INTERACTION BETWEEN ETHICS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Chapter 1 - The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice The Value of Ethics Normative Ethics Ethical Relativism Ethical Absolutism Ethical Pluralism Religion and Ethical Standards Ethics and Natural Law Ethics and Law Ethical Dilemmas Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 2 - Ethics and the Police Ethics and Policing Police as an Institution Police Culture Police Discretion Ethics and Codes of Ethics Police Use of Force 'Dirty Harry/ Dirty Hands' Police Corruption Whistleblowing Discrimination as Corruption Ethical Issues in Investigation, Interrogation and Custody Explanations for Police Corruption Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 3 - Racial Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System Ethical Background Historical Context Is There Racial Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System? Imprisonment Disparities Death Penalty Disparities Hate Crimes Explanations for Racial Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 4 - Lawyers and Ethics Legal Ethics - Historical Context The Nature of Professional Ethics Defense Lawyers The Prosecutor Judicial Ethics Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 5 - The Purpose of Criminal Punishment What is Punishment? Theoretical Approaches to Punishment Why Punish? - The Philosophical Approach Why Punish? - The Sociological Approach Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 6 - Ethics in Corrections The Prison Explosion Maximum Security Conditions Women's Incarceration Medium Security Minimum Security Stateville Prison: The Changing State of Corrections Guarding Ethically The Experience of Guarding Power and Authority in Prison - Controlling the Inmates Guarding with Discretion The Gray Wall of Silence - Prison Guard Subculture Use of Force Prisoner 'Power' Unethical Situations Whistleblowing in Corrections Ethical Considerations in Probation and Parole Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 7 - The Ethics of Criminal Justice Policy-Making The Ethics of Criminal Justice Policy-Making The Ethics of Policy Making Morality Policy Public Opinion about Punishment Mandatory Minimum Sentencing 'War on Drugs' Truth in Sentencing Predators and Superpredators Capitol Punishment Private Prisons Summary Discussion Questions PART TWO - THE APPLICATION OF ETHICAL THEORIES TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Chapter 8 - Duty and Principle Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives The Principle of Universality Respect for Persons Kingdom of Ends Conflicts of Duties between Rules Applying Deontological Theory: A Case Study Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 9 - Considering the Consequences Pleasure and Happiness Act Consequentialism Rule Consequentialists Public Policy and Utilitarianism Arguments Criticizing Utilitarianism Applying Utilitarian Theory: A Case Study Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 10 - The Importance of Character Virtues Aristotle and Happiness The Golden Mean Practical Wisdom What's Wrong with Virtue Applying Virtue Theory: A Case Study Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 11 - Egoism, Pleasure, and Indifference Stoicism Hedonism Ethical Egoism Applying Ethical Egoist Theory: A Case Study Summary Discussion Questions Chapter 12 - A Sense of Justice Application of the Principles Justice as Fairness Moral Development Applying Rawlsian Theory Summary Discussion Questions

Author Biography

Cyndi Banks is Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northern Arizona University. She teaches courses on a range of subjects with a special focus on criminal justice ethics, juvenile justice, gender and crime, as well as comparative criminology. As well as being an accomplished academic, Dr. Banks in an expert consultant for overseas development projects in the justice sector and, in that capacity, as worked in Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, Iraq and, most recently, as a juvenile justice specialist with UNICEF in Sudan. In additional to this text, she is the author of four other books and has a new book in press concerned with the experience of institutionalization for juveniles in an institution in Alaska.