Correctional Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real California Correctional Officer Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Correctional Ethics flashcards as text
An officer is asked by a friend outside work to pass a message to a specific inmate. What is the proper response?
Answer: Decline and follow proper visitation/communication channels
Officers must not act as personal couriers; communication must go through approved channels.
What is the primary ethical reason officers must avoid showing favoritism to certain inmates?
Answer: It undermines fairness and can be exploited for manipulation
Favoritism breaks impartiality and exposes officers to manipulation and security risks.
An officer notices a fellow officer falsifying an incident report. What does ethical conduct require?
Answer: Report the falsification through proper channels
Code of silence is unethical; falsification must be reported through proper channels.
Which value requires an officer to use only the amount of force necessary to control a situation?
Answer: Proportionality
Proportionality limits force to what is reasonably necessary for the situation.
An inmate confides personal information to an officer. When may the officer share it?
Answer: Only with appropriate staff for legitimate, official purposes
Inmate information should only be shared for legitimate official purposes with authorized staff.
Why is accepting even small gifts from inmates' families considered unethical?
Answer: It creates a sense of obligation and risk of compromise
Gifts create obligations that can be leveraged to compromise an officer's integrity.
An officer feels personal anger toward an inmate who insulted them. What is the ethical standard for response?
Answer: Remain professional and avoid acting on personal emotion
Officers must control personal emotions and never retaliate against inmates.