Situation 1
You are a correctional officer working the late-night shift. Your sergeant and another officer from the day shift come onto the tier where you are working and ask you to open an inmate's cell. After you do so, they enter the cell. Then you hear a series of grunts, cries, and moans. They leave, muttering about how the inmate has been taught a lesson. You believe that you have been a party to an assault, but you say nothing. The next night you find out that the inmate did not report the incident, nor did any other inmate. You believe that if you come forward and report what you saw, you will be severely ostracized. You may not be believed (especially if the inmate doesn't back you up), You might even lose your job. What would you do?
Situation 2
You are taking an essay exam in a college classroom. The test is closed book and closed notes, yet you look up and see that the person sitting next to you has hidden under his blue book a piece of paper filled with notes, which he is using to answer some questions. What would you do? Would your answer change if the test was graded on a curve? What is the student were a friend? What would you do if the student was flunking the course and was going to lose the scholarship he needed to stay in school? What about a situation of plagiarism? Would you turn in a student if you knew he or she had turned in a plagiarized paper? Why or why not? If someone cheats in school, isn't it likely that he or she will be less honest as a criminal justice professional?
Full Answer Section
I would need to weigh the pros and cons of reporting the assault carefully. On the one hand, if I reported the assault, it would likely lead to an investigation. If the investigation found that the assault had occurred, my sergeant and the other officer could be disciplined or even fired. This would send a message that the prison does not tolerate violence against inmates. Additionally, if the inmate came forward and testified against my sergeant and the other officer, they could be convicted of assault and sent to prison. This would bring justice to the victim and deter other officers from committing similar acts.
On the other hand, there are also risks associated with reporting the assault. My colleagues might ostracize me if they felt that I had betrayed them. They might even threaten me or make my life difficult at work. Additionally, if the investigation did not find that the assault had occurred, I could be accused of making a false report. This could damage my reputation and make it difficult to find a job in the future.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to report the assault is a personal one. There is no easy answer, and the best course of action will vary depending on the specific circumstances. If I were in this situation, I would talk to a trusted colleague or supervisor about my options. I would also consider talking to an attorney to get legal advice.
Here are some additional factors that I would consider when making my decision:
- The severity of the assault. If the assault was serious, I would be more likely to report it.
- The likelihood that the inmate would come forward and testify. If the inmate was unwilling to testify, it would be more difficult to prove that the assault had occurred.
- The culture of the prison. If the prison has a history of covering up assaults, I would be less likely to report the assault.
- My own safety. If I felt that reporting the assault would put me in danger, I would be less likely to do so.
I would also consider the following resources if I was in this situation:
- The American Correctional Association (ACA): The ACA has a code of ethics that correctional officers are expected to follow. The ACA also provides resources for correctional officers who are victims of workplace violence.
- The National Correctional Officers' Association (NCOA): The NCOA is a union that represents correctional officers. The NCOA provides legal assistance and other resources to its members.
- The Department of Justice (DOJ): The DOJ investigates civil rights violations in prisons. If I felt that my rights had been violated, I could file a complaint with the DOJ.
I know that this is a difficult situation, and I wish you the best of luck in making your decision.