CODE OF ETHICS
AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION
4321 Hartwick Road, Suite L-208
College Park, Maryland 20740
(301) 864-1070

The American Correctional Association expects of its members unfailing honesty, respect for the dignity and individuality of human beings, and a commitment to professional and compassionate service.  To this end we subscribe to the following principles.

•   Relationships with clients / colleagues / other professions / the public:

• Members will respect and protect the civil and legal rights of all clients.

• Members will serve each case with appropriate concern for the client's welfare and with no purpose of personal gain.

• Relationships with colleagues will be of such character to promote mutual respect within the profession and improvement of its quality of service.
  Statements critical of colleagues or their agencies will be made only as these are verifiable and constructive in purpose.

• Members will respect the importance of all elements of the criminal justice system and cultivate a professional cooperation with each segment
  Subject to the client’s rights of privacy, members will respect the public’s right to know, and will share information with the public with openness and candor.

• Members will respect and protect the right of the public to be safeguarded from criminal activity.

• No member will use his or her official position to secure special privileges or advantages.

• No member, while acting in an official capacity, will allow personal interest to impair objectivity in the performance of duty.

• No member will use his or her official position to promote any partisan political purpose.

• No member will accept any gift or favor of such nature to imply an obligation that is inconsistent with the free and objective exercise of professional responsibilities.

• In any public statement, members will clearly distinguish between those that are personal views and those that are statements and positions on behalf of an agency.

• Members will be diligent in their responsibility to record and make available for review any and all case information which could contribute to sound decisions affecting a client or the public safety.

• Each member will report, without reservation, any corrupt or unethical behavior which could affect either a client or the integrity of the organization.

• Members will not discriminate against any client, employee or prospective employee on the basis of race, sex, creed, or national origin.

• Members will maintain the integrity of private information;  they will neither seek personal data beyond that needed to perform their responsibilities, or reveal case information to anyone not having proper professional use for such.

• Any member who is responsible for agency personnel actions will make all appointments, promotions or dismissals only on the basis of merit and not in furtherance of partisan political interests.
  (Adopted August 1975 at the 105th Congress of Correction)