Core ethics when working with prisoners
The management needs to train its staff on how to deal with men and women who have been deprived of their liberty and the court saw it better that they should be secluded because putting them together with other people is dangerous. Some of them may be mentally disturbed, some are addicted to malpractices, some are dangerous and aggressive to other inmates and the staff and others would even be fighting hard to run away from prison (Kraska, 2004 45). They have to be treated in a decent, humane and just manner to make sure that all prisoners are safe. The prisoners should be made to use their time effectively and reform so that they might be reaccepted back to the community when they are released and to avoid attempts of running away.
In any democratic society respect for the inherent dignity of all human beings despite their personal or social status is vital (Goodman, 200813). Prisoners find themselves in jail because they have tempered with human dignity or respect of other individuals and it is the sole role of staff to make sure that they avert their ways and not revenge. The former South African president who is an ex prisoner ones said that, it is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside the jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones. In this regard the prison wardens should not be made to feel like people who are depriving others their liberty, or inflictors of punishment other than the one imposed by the courts but combine a custodial role with an educational and reformative role.
PRISONERS AS HUMAN BEINGS
Prisoners remain to be human no matter the vehemence of the crime they have committed. All forms of torture or deliberately inflicted cruel or rather any form of inhuman treatment which is likely to lower a persons dignity should be prohibited (Coyle, 20058). The right of freedom of movement is restricted because of the nature of the prisons but this doesnt mean that they are to be rendered immobile. The right to family association should not be completely taken away but be restricted. It is the role of the staff to restrict some rights but the right to be treated as a human being should not be restricted but be enforced by the staff.
HEALTH CARE
Whatever the offence committed, prisoners retain some fundamental rights entitled to human beings as well as the right to enjoy the highest attainable standards of physical mental health. This is clearly stipulated in the Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners, Principle 9 that, prisoners shall have access to the health services available in the country without discrimination on the grounds of their legal situation. The prison administration should provide initial medical screening on admission, offer emergency treatment and offering any diets which may be identified as medically necessary (La Follette, H Editor, 2003 93). The environment which the prisoners are exposed to should also be clean and safe and this also applies to the working conditions.
SECURITY
Prisons need to operate with a set of rules and regulations that are perceived by the inmates and the staff as fair and just (Goodman, 200823). There should be rewarding for good behavior and punishment for bad behavior but this should be done within the stipulated rules and regulations to make prison a safe place for the staff and inmates as well. The authorities should thwart oppressive security measures which exclude rehabilitative programmes, brutal methods of control, and unlawful punishments.
FAIRNESS OF DIPLOMACY PROCEDURES
Detained and imprisoned persons have the right to be heard before any displinary action is taken. In natural justice, prisoners are to be enlightened on the various rules and regulations that they should abide by when they are within the premises and consequences (Muraskin et al, 200554). Prisoners should be given time to prepare for a self defense and the person laying charges be given enough time to collect valuable evidence (Goodman, 200825). When prisoners have cases they should be presented before competent people and be allowed to question the staff member presenting the case. And if found guilty then he has a right to appeal to a higher authority.
VISITS LETTERS AND TELEPHONES
According to Benn (199834), prisoners have a right to be visited by and correspond to any members of hisher family and be give adequate opportunity to communicate with the outside world to enhance the universal human right to family life. This right to family and friends applies to prisoners who are awaiting trial and those who have been convicted (Goodman, 200832). Prisoners should be allowed to send a minimum number of letters within a specified period of time and the state bears the expense of paying for the postage stamps. When far away from home the inmates should be allowed to make phone calls to family members or legal advisers and the costs met by the family of the inmate, and in this case privacy should be the guiding factor.
READING MATERIAL, RADIO AND TELEVISION
They should have access to the above so that they are a breast on what is happening outside the prison walls (Albanese, 200886). Also internet services should be provided but restricted. Inspections should be frequently done to ensure that the inmates and staff are safe and reports of inspections made public except for some information that might be considered confidential.
JUVENILES AND WOMEN
Juveniles should be secluded from adult prisoners and be given special treatment so that they can reform (Goodman, 200845). Women are also prone to sexual abuse, and have a variety of health related problems they therefore should kept under vigil by a female staff and be exposed to their families more frequently as compared to males. Those who are pregnant should not be kept in jail except if there is no alternative.
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