Article Analysis Essay on Ethical Challenges for Psychology in the Justice System

Introduction

Following the introduction of a legal framework to review the prisoners' crimes, release them earlier than the expected end of the jail term, monitor the rehabilitation within the community while using treatment based conditions as compared to punishment process, I like to state that this is a laudable step. As I recommend the approach to use science in the administering of justice in courts and the probation afterward, I have my reservations on the policy and its implementation strategy for failing to observe the ethical issues which will infringe the fundamental human rights of the former convict. This letter, however, will examine this law in relationship with the race, financial status, and public awareness to change the perception towards the criminal.

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In her article; Ethical Challenges for Psychology in the Justice System, Linda Chezum, raises the following concerns in the form of questions;

The systemic level questions are:

• Are there adequately enough trained psychologists to staff the justice system to provide adequate training and supervision of the probation and parole staff in conducting needed screenings?
• Are there sufficiently enough trained psychologists to staff the justice system to provide valid assessments?
• Are there adequately trained psychologists to staff the justice system treatment programs so that the treatment ordered is appropriate for the individual, culturally and diagnostically and delivered with fidelity to the evidence-based model?
• Are the professionals provided adequate private office space and other resources to conduct the screening, assessments, and treatment with competence and confidentiality?

The questions for the forensic psychologists individually are:

• Do you have the experience and training needed to conduct valid forensic assessments in the justice system to recommend treatment plans to the courts? Anyone who testifies beyond the observations and understanding of the ordinary layperson must be qualified as an expert under the rules of evidence in the jurisdiction.
• Is the treatment plan you recommend to the court the most appropriate one in meeting the treatment needs of the patient or are you supporting it because the patient needs "something" and your recommendation is what is available?
• Is the treatment evidence-based and delivered with fidelity to the model that was evaluated? (Chezum, 2016).

Several factors come up when probation policy is implemented thereby display the failure in adhering the ethical guidelines.

The race is an important variable in the execution of this legal redress. In several countries, the word tribe is used. In a nutshell, the color of the skin of a person, where he or she comes from is a factor in decision making but never made open to avoid the backstab (Braswell et al, 2017). In America, statistics has continuously shown that African- American, as well as Hispanic prisoners, are unlikely to get probation as compared to their white counterparts. The former is perceived to be hardcore criminals, operating in organized gangs while the latter being exceptional cases of individuals with psychological problems, influenced by the peers and have a chance of transformation with the help of distinguished family set up (Roberts, 2018).

At the end of 2009, there were over four million adults under probation supervision in the United States. Whites comprised 55% of the probation population while 30 % of the population was Black defendants and 13 % were Hispanic. In some states such as Texas and Oklahoma, the percentage of Whites on probation increases to as high as 69 % and the percentage of Blacks on probation falls to 20 % (Varela & Conroy, 2012). It is commonly believed that probation and presentence reports may favor White over minority defendants, causing judges to award probation to Whites more than minorities. Additionally, Whites are more likely to receive probation in jurisdictions where Blacks and Whites receive prison sentences of similar duration.

The financial status of the person under the probation determines the effectiveness of the process the candidate will be involved in. For instance, if he or she was in jail for causing an accident as a result of high alcohol consumption or committed murder or rape due to drug addiction, the court will recommend admission to a rehabilitation center with treatment, therapy also counseling (Arrigo & Shipley, 2005). The success of this recommendation will depend on the individual or family support to meet the bills. Failure to comply with the costs makes the condition unattainable. The public awareness campaigns furthermore need to be done to change their perceptions. The society more often than not discriminates a former jailbird even after the reform. It is thus required to understand that change requires the participation of everyone. This will protect the person from falling back to crime or drug trafficking and the abuse (Varela & Conroy, 2012).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rule of law requires forensic science to give fair justice in courts, also, determine whether a person shows signs of change after release from prison. The process needs to be humane, mind about the prisoner's privacy, fundamental human rights. There is a chance of permanent change if the code of ethics is incorporated in the whole process. The transformation will be both extrinsic and intrinsic.

References

Arrigo & Shipley. (2005). Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Issues and Controversies in Crime and Justice. Academic Press.

Braswell et al. (2017). Justice, Crime, and Ethics. Taylor & Francis.

Chezum, L. (2019). Ethical Challenges for Psychology in the Justice System. American Psychology-Law Society.

Roberts. (2018). Public Opinion, Crime, and Criminal Justice. Routledge.

Varela & Conroy (2012). Professional Competencies in Forensic Psychology. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 43(5), 410.