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EYE ON THE KEEPER: PRISON CORRUPTION AND ITS CONTROL 279 Source: http:llwww.corr.ca.gov/CDC/PDFslCodeofSilenceMemo.pdf 28 0 JUSTICE, CRIME, AND ETHICS chusetts, where John Geoghan, a defrocked priest convicted of molesting dozens of children, was falsely accused on disciplinary infractions by guards so that he would be transferred to a more punitive and restrictive set­ ting. Geoghan was […]

CONTROLLING CORRUPTION First of all, it must be recognized that corruption is a regular feature of gov­ ernment processes. The problem of corruption will always be hovering in the background and can probably never be eradicated; however, certain steps may be taken to reduce and control the problem (Gardiner, 1970:93). In this section, we will

INCENTIVES FOR CORRUPTION There are many incentives for employees to take advantage of the power associated with their position in an institutional setting. They range from struc­ tural and organizational characteristics of prison management to individual factors (e.g., honesty of staff, the financial needs of employees, etc.). CHAPTER 1 5 • KEEPING AN EYE ON

THE ROLE OF OPPORTUNITIES Three external forces influence prison systems and directly affect the incentives and opportunities for corruption. One is the continuing trend to incarcerate criminals. This has led to unprecedented levels of crowding in state and federal prison systems. Second, career criminals are receiving longer sentences as the public sentiment toward punishment continues

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CORRUPTION Research has shown certain factors are associated with varying levels of corruption in an agency. In a U.S. Department of Justice study on municipal corruption (1978), two factors were identified as having a major influence on the level and degree of corruption experienced by a particular governmental agency. These factors were:

THE ROLE OF DISCRETION All forms of corruption involve the misuse of discretion by public employees. The role played by discretion in corrections is significant. Cor­ rectional officials are provided with a broad mandate by law to develop and administer correctional agencies. This broad authority extends to devising rules, regulations, and procedures designed to control

TYPES OF PRISON CORRUPTION Unlike the literature on police corruption, very little is known regarding the types of corrupt practices experienced by correctional agencies. One way to study this problem is to examine the internal affairs records of a state correctional agency (see McCarthy, 1981). An internal affairs unit has the responsibility for investigating all

DEFINING CORRUPTION IN A CORRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENT In the correctional literature, the concept of corruption has been used fre­ quently, usually referring to a general adulteration of the formal goals of the correctional process (Rothman, 1971; Sykes, 1956, 1958). The literature on corruption, particularly police corruption, provides a much narrower defi­ nition, which aids researchers interested

KEEPING AN EYE ON THE KEEPER: PRISON CORRUPTION AND ITS CONTROL 267 JUSTICE, CRIME, AND ETHICS for certain offenders). For example, offenders may be able to arrange the pur­ chase of paroles and pardons, arrange for confinement in a less secure setting, or drastically improve their standard of living in custody. Corrupt practices may also

THE ROLE OF STAFF IN PRISON MISCONDUCT One of the most critical elements in any correctional system is the quality of the staff hired to work in prisons. The critical role played by employees in the correctional enterprise has long been noted by correctional practitioners and prison reformers; [It] is obvious, too, that the best