1. Professionalism & Ethics in Corrections
“Behind Closed Bars”

2. Copyright and Terms of Service
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Contact TEA Copyrights with any questions you may have.
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3. What is Professionalism?
Exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
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4. Professional vs. Unprofessional Behavior
Activity #1
Professional vs. Unprofessional Behavior
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5. Professional Behavior
Treat everyone with respect (at all levels)
Speak without judging, blaming, or demeaning
Listen with an open mind
Avoid gossip, name-calling, and offensive humor
Take responsibility for your behavior
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6. Outsider’s View Take pride in wearing the TDCJ uniform
Don’t wear your uniform:
Exhibiting questionable behaviors
Buying beer
Going to bars
Incomplete
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7. Cultural Diversity Avoid hot words Respect diversity in the workplace
Each employee brings cultural differences
Communication Styles
Appearance
Beliefs
Behaviors
Avoid hot words
“you people”
“us” or “them”
Respect diversity in the workplace
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8. Cultural Diversity Consequences of disrespect:
Hostile work environment
Low employee morale
Conflict/Tension
Low productivity
High turnover
Litigation
Open, honest communication is key
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9. Sexual Harassment & Discrimination
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;
-The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
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10. Sexual Harassment Actions constitute sexual harassment when they:
Affect an individual's employment
Interfere with an individual's work performance OR
Create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment
Examples:
Unwelcome sexual advances
Requests for sexual favors
Other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
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11. Sexual Harassment Scenario
Activity 2
Sexual Harassment Scenario
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12. Sexual Harassment Scenario
Remember: anything you say or do, can and will be used against you by the offenders.
YOU COULD LOSE YOUR JOB!
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13. Offensive & Disruptive Workplace Behaviors
Intimidation (threats & bullying)
Sarcasm
Excessive criticism, complaining, nitpicking, and negativity
Sabotaging other employees or departments
Fault-finding and blaming behaviors
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14. Offensive & Disruptive Workplace Behaviors
Open hostility towards management or other groups
Frequent use of obscenities, cursing, and swearing
Gossiping, spreading rumors
Language, behaviors, or humor which demeans individuals or groups
Teasing or making others the punch line of a joke
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15. TDCJ Culture
Ethics – a set of rules and standards that govern individual conduct. They also establish right and wrong, and good and bad.
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16. TDCJ Policies and Procedures
Texas Department of Criminal Justice PD-22 (rev. 12)
General Rules of Conduct and Disciplinary Action Guideline for Rules of Conduct and Disciplinary Action Guidelines for Employees
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17. Identified Ethical Issues
Falsification of records
Introduction of contraband
Excessive use of force
Officer/Offender relations
Sexual Harassment
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18. TDCJ Ethical Goals Integrity Values Morals
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19. Integrity
Moral soundness, honesty, and freedom from corrupting influence or motives
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20. Values
Beliefs of a person or social group in which they have emotional investment (either for or against something)
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21. Morals
Concern with the judgment of right or wrong, human action, and character
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22. Ethical Misconceptions
It is a personal opinion or belief
Legal = Ethical
It’s ok if not specifically forbidden
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23. Personal Ethics Specific moral choices (I will or I will not)
Formed from cultures, families, communities, religious entities, and morals
Unethical behaviors
Lying
Cheating
Stealing
Tardiness
Vulgarity
Being inconsiderate
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24. Professional Ethics Rules of standards governing a profession
“Work ethic”
No abuse of sick leave
Arriving early (allow time for unforeseen circumstances)
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25. Six Core Ethical Values
Trustworthiness
Responsibility
Respect
Caring
Citizenship
Fairness
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26. Trustworthiness
Honesty – prohibits stealing, cheating, fraud, or trickery to get anything of value
Loyalty – moral responsibility to promote/protect the interests of an organization
Integrity – treating beliefs about right and wrong as ground rules for behavior
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27. Responsibility
Accountability – accept responsibility for decisions; don’t blame others or take credit for work you didn’t do
Self-Restraint – willingness to take advance long-term interests into account
Pursuit of Excellence – diligence, perseverance, good work habits, commitment to quality
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28. Respect Courtesy – treating others with consideration
Tolerance & Acceptance – acknowledging another’s beliefs and differences
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29. Caring Consideration of others
Treat others the way you want to be treated
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30. Citizenship Contribution to overall good
Charity support or volunteer work
Voting & Jury duty
Reporting crimes
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31. Fairness Equal treatment of each person Following procedures
Impartial treatment
Objective discipline
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32. Resources Texas Department of Criminal Justice PD-22 (rev. 12)
“General Rules of Conduct and Disciplinary Action Guideline for Rules of Conduct and Disciplinary Action Guidelines for Employees”
Texas Department of Criminal Justice PD-13 (rev. 5)
Sexual Harassment and Discourteous Conduct of a Sexual Nature”
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
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