Ethical Issues Facing the Correctional or Forensic Psychologist

Respect: Forensic psychology

It is easy to conceive of numerous ethically troubling instances for a forensic psychologist regarding the Benedictine value of "respect." For example, a psychologist may have to evaluate an individual to determine if he or she is mentally competent to stand trial, knowing that if the individual is found competent that person may be convicted of a serious offense and even face the death penalty. The psychologist may also be called upon to advise the court if the person in question is legally sane or insane, and believe that although the person is legally "sane" that a mental health treatment setting would be more appropriate than prison. Finally, the individual may regard the psychologist more as a therapist than a representative of the court, although the psychologist is not bound to the same strictures of confidentiality as he or she would be with a patient. A clinical psychologist in a correctional setting may need to alert the authorities if he or she believes the patient is a danger to other inmates yet still establish trust and a dialogue with the patient.

To the best of his or her ability, the forensic psychologist must communicate the details of his or her relationship to the client, in ways that respect the client's mental capacity and level of education. The value of respect is founded upon the free exchange of ideas, and the client in a therapeutic relationship must be able to speak to the therapist in an open fashion. Yet the therapist must strike a balance between the rights of the individual and his or her professional obligation to respect those rights, and the needs of the community and society for safety and stability. In the case of a therapist advising an incarcerated individual, even if he or she cannot grant full confidentiality it is especially important that the individual is not regarded as morally disposal, and is still granted the ability to speak about his or her issues in an open fashion, in a dialogue that respects the inmate's dignity as a person.