Corrections Officers and the Ethics of Dealing with Prisoners

The ethics of caring for the wellbeing of prisoners can be complicated. The low social status of prisoners means that they are marginalized and excluded from the mainstream of society. They experience stigma and discrimination behind bars and are often regarded as "unworthy" in the general community. (Related Stigma and Discrimination Prisoners, p.1). This is a descriptive example of the way that prisoners may feel while they are incarcerated. The problem does not lie within the fact that the prisoners are incarcerated, but instead within the unethical treatment and abuse that can occur at the hands of their caretakers; the corrections officer. 

The corrections officer has a difficult job to do. There has never been a question about the stress associated with caring for individuals who have tremendous animosity towards you. Correctional officers are expected to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. They are expected to be respectful and impartial towards the prisoners and their co-workers. They are expected to be good role models for others in their presence. This is of course regardless of their personal beliefs about others or situations that may occur. (Ethics in Criminal Justice, P. 318-320)