REPORT OF THE TASK FORCE ON THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 62100
• Journal: American Psychologist Volume: 33 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 1099-1113
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): 0SS76-15832
• Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation
• Corporate Author: American Psychological Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

KEY ETHICAL ISSUES FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE WORK ARE IDENTIFIED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE ETHICAL PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY ARE PRESENTED.

Abstract

IN LATE 1975, THE BOARD OF SOCIAL AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PSYCHOLOGY WAS REQUESTED TO RECOMMEND OFFICIAL POSITIONS FOR THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION ON MATTERS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY. THE BOARD COMMISSIONED A TASK FORCE ON THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO INVESTIGATE THE WAYS IN WHICH PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE ETHICAL ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVOLVEMENT. THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDED THAT (1) PSYCHOLOGISTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SETTINGS SHOULD INFORM ALL PARTIES TO A GIVEN SERVICE OF THE LEVEL OF CONFIDENTIALLY THAT APPLIES AND SHOULD SPECIFY ANY CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE AN EXCEPTION TO CONFIDENTIALITY; (2) THE IDEAL LEVEL OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF THERAPEUTIC SERVICES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SETTINGS SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THE LEVEL OF CONFIDENTIALITY EXISTING IN VOLUNTARY NONINSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS; (3) OTHER THAN FOR LEGITIMATE RESEARCH PURPOSES, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS OF OFFENDERS SHOULD BE PERFORMED ONLY WHEN THE PSYCHOLOGIST HAS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT SUCH ASSESSMENTS WILL SERVE A USEFUL THERAPEUTIC OR DISPOSITIONAL FUNCTION; (4) PSYCHOLOGISTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAVE AN ETHICAL OBLIGATION TO LEARN OF THE CONCEPTS AND OPERATIONS OF THAT SYSTEM; (5) PSYCHOLOGISTS SHOULD NOT OFFER CONCLUSIONS ON MATTERS OF LAW AND SHOULD MAKE CLEAR THE STATE OF THE EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE RELATED TO THEIR ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH PARTICULAR OBJECTIVES; (6) PSYCHOLOGISTS SHOULD ENCOURAGE AND COOPERATE IN THE EVALUATION OF THE SERVICES THEY PERFORM; AND (7) PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN PRISONS SHOULD CONFORM TO THE STANDARDS OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS; OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DISCUSSED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)