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Scenario: You are a probation officer and have a client, Paul Rosen, who was recently released from prison and is a registered sex offender. One of the obligations of a probationer is to maintain close contact with their probation officer. This particular probationer failed to maintain contact for four months. During efforts to locate Paul Rosen, you discover that he has been involved with a woman who has three children aged 6, 9, and 14. You feel compelled to contact this woman to determine whether she was aware of Paul being a registered sex offender and that he is on probation.

During the conversation, she expresses gratitude for your concerns but explains that Paul claimed he was involved with a 16-year-old girl, though the girl had lied about her age. She states that Paul believes his conviction was influenced by the girl’s parents, who allegedly encouraged her to press charges to keep him away. She dismisses the significance of the case, asserting that the girl lied about her age and that it was not a big deal. During this conversation, you also feel compelled to reveal Paul's past history of molesting two girls aged 4 and 7.

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Handling the described scenario using normative ethics necessitates careful consideration of moral principles guiding professional conduct, particularly in the context of criminal justice and social work. Normative ethics involves applying established ethical principles—such as beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and respect for autonomy—to determine the morally appropriate course of action. As a probation officer, you are tasked with balancing the obligation to protect the community, uphold justice, and respect clients’ rights, while also adhering to professional ethical standards.

Firstly, the case exemplifies the class of situations involving repeated violations of probation terms, confidentiality concerns, and the obligation to monitor sex offenders diligently. Probation officers are bound by ethical codes, such as the American Probation and Parole Association’s (APPA) Code of Ethics (APPA, 2014), which emphasizes integrity, respect, and public safety. Specifically, the code mandates that officers act with honesty, professionalism, and ensure the safety of the community, including reporting potential risks and informing relevant parties of pertinent information.

Applying normative ethics, the principle of beneficence urges the officer to act in ways that promote the well-being of victims and the community, which includes taking steps to prevent further harm. The principle of nonmaleficence requires avoiding actions that could cause harm, such as unnecessarily revealing sensitive information without regard for confidentiality or the potential consequences. Justice dictates fairness and fairness-related decision-making, ensuring that both the client’s rights and public safety are balanced. Respect for autonomy involves honoring the client’s rights to privacy and truthful communication, but within the boundaries imposed by societal safety concerns.

In this scenario, the probation officer must decide how to handle the disclosures ethically. The officer must consider that revealing the client's past history or sensitive information about Paul Rosen without proper procedural safeguards could violate confidentiality. Nonetheless, nondisclosure may jeopardize community safety and violate the probation officer's duty to shield potential victims.

Following the professional code of ethics, the officer's primary responsibility is to protect the community and uphold the law. Therefore, the appropriate course involves verifying the information through proper channels, such as consulting with supervisors or legal counsel, before disclosing sensitive client information. The officer should also consider reporting any violations of probation conditions, especially if there's evidence of ongoing risk.

Regarding the moral decision-making process, the officer should apply a rule-utilitarian approach grounded in the ethical principles outlined above. The rule would be that probation officers must maintain confidentiality unless disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent harm or is mandated by law. The officer should inform the community authorities or law enforcement if there is credible evidence of ongoing risk or violation of probation terms, rather than directly disclosing sensitive information to the public or the client’s acquaintances.

In conclusion, applying normative ethics in this case advocates for a balanced approach rooted in professional codes: prioritizing community safety, respecting client rights, and following legal procedures. Probation officers have an ethical obligation to act transparently and responsibly, which involves navigating complex situations with moral integrity, ensuring actions serve the greater good while respecting individual rights.

References

• American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). (2014). Code of Ethics for Probation Officers. APPA.
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