Professionalism In Corrections

Professionalism as Bartollas and Siegel define it “refers to a set of character strengths and personal values directed at providing the highest quality service to others in the workplace, both colleagues and clients” (2013). In the field of corrections, professionalism affects not only those working in the facility or those imprisoned within its walls, but the families of inmates and officers /correctional staff, the local community, and the relationships within the law enforcement community as well.
As discussed in the text, there are several areas in which professionalism in the field of corrections must address to effectively maintain if’s facilities. While there have been significant gains in recent years, there are still areas which continue

As Bartollas states, ‘It is necessary to suspend to terminate staff who abuse inmates and violate their rights” (2013). The administration must take a hard stance on such individuals who are convicted or found guilty of these actions. Allowing the individual to retire or resign to avoid charges suggests that there is a concern for image and reputation and not the welfare of the inmate which they have been given custody of. As such, respect is lost from other staff members and inmates alike. Thus fostering the notion that the actions of the staff member were acceptable or justified and no corrective actions will come in future violations.
Additionally, in an attempt to foster an increase in professionalism within the correctional community, care and consideration must be taken with the care and housing of inmates both privately operated and those operated by some branch of the government. “The quality of prisons has improved from the past, but there continue to be too many inhumane new prisons. New construction does not always result in a prison conductive to humane incarceration” (Bartollas,

Each individual must accept and work towards the institutions goal of care and custody of inmates, not holding to bad habits and workarounds of “seasoned” staff which create confusion and division among staff and administration, therefore causing chaos and confusion among staff and inmates. Likewise, Administration must be willing to “step forth when colleagues are out of line” (Bartollas, 2013). Although there are other areas which the needs of professionalism in corrections need to be addressed, these are the key factors in my opinion which if change is brought about, would address the issue of professionalism as a