“Mental Health and Public Safety” You are a new correctional…
“Mental Health and Public Safety” You are a new correctional officer at a local county detention center. You have been on the job for just over one year. Recently, you have been assigned to the crisis invention unit, which houses the mentally ill inmates. The job is stressful and dealing with the mentally ill is not an easy task. Since many mentally ill individuals do not seek assistance or take proper medications, many end-up in jails across America. Last week, inmate Richard Jones began striking his head against the cell and throwing human waste at correctional officers. Since arriving at the detention center six months ago Jones has been written-up for throwing urine at officers eight different times. Jones is also positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Richard Jones is almost always combative towards staff and other inmates. Yesterday, Richard Jones began spitting blood at officers and refused to “cuff-up.” As a result, an extraction team was called to remove Jones from his cell. During the removal another correctional officer tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. Jones then bit another officer on the left arm. Both officers are currently on administrative leave due their injuries. Your supervisor had enough of Richard Jones and decided to tell you not to give Jones his medication since it has little effect. Jones then began shouting, “Give me my meds! Give me my meds! Give me my meds!” You realize your supervisor just wants to punish Jones for his previous behavior. Richard Jones then begins to bang his head against the cell door. Usually, you would notify the extraction team, but your supervisor states, “Rookie, let him hit his head, maybe it will knock some sense into him.” Ten minutes later Richard Jones falls to the ground and passes out. Your supervisor then calls for a paramedic to tend to Richard Jones. Fire/Rescue respond to the scene and treats Jones for his injury. Richard Jones then begins to attempt to bite Fire/Rescue workers, but you are able to grab Jones’ neck before he can assault anyone. How do you ethically handle the situation? Does this situation warrant correctional misconduct? Why or why not? Does the situation change since your supervisor is giving you a direct order? How do you balance emotions with the law? Which ethical system would you utilize to support your response to this situation? Why? Please remember to be as detailed as possible and answer the scenario-based question in 3-4 paragraphs (4-6 sentences per paragraph).