Ethics and Accountability in Criminal Justice: Towards a Universal Standard - THIRD EDITION

Tim Prenzler

Sunshine Coast University




"Unique in the criminology literature in Australia, well written, and
accessible to a wide range of readers."

Professor Jenny Fleming, the University of Southampton

This is a book of research and policy aimed at raising ethical standards in criminal justice practice. Around the world, corruption continues to undermine the rule of law and the application of due process rights. Misconduct by criminal justice professionals challenges democratic authority and the equality and freedom of ordinary citizens. There is an urgent need for academics, advocates and policymakers to speak with one voice in articulating universal ethical standards and, most importantly, in prescribing systems and techniques that must be in place for criminal justice to be genuinely accountable and as free from misconduct as possible. The focus of the book is on the core components of the criminal justice system — police, courts and corrections — and the core groups within this system: sworn police officers; judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers; and custodial and community correctional officers. By using quality research and policy analysis of these core components Professor Prenzler formulates a basic checklist that can be used to assess the ethical quality and accountability of the criminal justice system in any jurisdiction.





for web, tablet, phone, or ereader
available for Android, iPhone/iPad

About the Author

Tim Prenzler is Professor of Criminology at the University of the Sunshine Coast where he was the foundation Coordinator of the Bachelor of Criminology and Justice from 2015. From 2008 to 2014 he was a Chief Investigator in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, based at Griffith University, where he managed the Integrity Systems Project and worked in the Frontline Policing Project. He was also a foundation member of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith, from 1991. His research interests include crime and corruption prevention, police and security officer safety, security industry regulation, and gender equity in policing. He has developed and taught courses in introductory criminology, policing, crime prevention, and criminal justice ethics and accountability.

Reviews

Ethics and Accountability in Criminal Justice: Towards a Universal Standard is unique in the criminology literature in Australia. It addresses the urgent question of how to reduce misconduct, improve ethical practice and minimise miscarriages of justice across the criminal justice system. The book is well written and accessible to a wide range of readers. In addressing the central question it presents a series of instructive case studies, focusing in particular on demonstrated strategies for achieving best practice.
- Professor Jenny Fleming, the University of Southampton.

"This book addresses current issues in criminal justice in the important areas of professional ethics and democratic accountability. Tim Prenzler has brought together a large field of scholarship to explore these often complex issues. He presents a series of policy recommendations that are potentially controversial but also practical and progressive."
Dr Rick Sarre, Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of South Australia.

Table of Contents

PREFACE
Chapter 1 Ethics and Accountability in the Public Sector
SECTION ONE — Police
Chapter 2 Police Ethics
Chapter 3 Police Corruption and Misconduct
Chapter 4 Police Integrity Management and Accountability
SECTION TWO — Courts
Chapter 5 Ethical Issues in Criminal Law
Chapter 6 Misconduct and Miscarriages of Justice in the Criminal Courts
Chapter 7 Integrity Management and Accountability in the Criminal Courts
SECTION THREE — Corrections
Chapter 8 Ethical Issues in Corrections
Chapter 9 Abuses in Corrections
Chapter 10 Integrity Management and Accountability in Corrections.
REFERENCES