Continuing Education & Training
SC8010 Enhancing Ethical Reasoning in Corrections
Class Schedule
29 & 30 May 2023
Trainers
Dr George Radics, Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Dr Lohsnah Jeevanandam, Department of Psychology
About the course
This course is one of four compulsory courses leading to a Professional Certificate in Correctional Management.
| Course Title | Host Department |
| Process and Punishment | Department of Social Work |
| Multicultural Sensitivity in Corrections | Department of Social Work |
| Enhancing Ethical Reasoning in Corrections | Department of Sociology and Anthropology |
| Integrating Theory (Case Formulation) and Use of Self (Reflective Practice) in Community Correction | Department of Psychology |
In this course hosted by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, participants will learn the larger socio-legal and ethical issues behind decision making. Participants will also learn a range of decision-making models and how to systematically think through ethical dilemmas. Ultimately, participants will become more empowered to critically analyze ethical dilemmas and to justify their views with relevant ethical principles, laws/policies/frameworks.
Objectives
- Understand ethical reasoning and decision-making guidelines.
- Understand how to identify ethical issues.
- Apply guidelines to relevant contexts
- Be familiar with general ethical principles.
- Learn ethical-decision making models.
- Aware of which stakeholders to work with.
Evaluation of the course
Participants will complete a pre-survey about 1-2 weeks before the course. They will again complete the same survey at the end of the course, and 3 months later. Objectively evaluating the course will yield useful information about which components were important in increasing ethical sensitivity and how long the gains were maintained.
Who should attend
Professionals in corrections and offender management
Entry requirements
Degree holders of relevant background, uniformed officers who focus on supervision, or rehabilitation specialists with at least three years’ experience.
Session 1 (Day 1) (delivered by Dr George Radics)
Ethical Decision Making from a Global and Legal Perspective
In this session, participants will be introduced to the larger socio-legal and ethical issues behind decision making. Participants will first be introduced to global trends and reforms in penal policies, specifically regarding the reintegration of prisoners. The session will then examine the sociological dimensions of decision making in the prison and reintegration setting. It will conclude with a discussion on the legal dimensions to decision making, focusing on case studies.
Session 2 Day 2 (delivered by Dr Lohsnah Jeevanandam)
Applying Decision-Making
Participants will reflect on their personal values/attitudes that influence ethical decision-making. In this session, they will also learn various decision-making models and arrive at an individually tailored decision-making model. There will be several opportunities for discussion of case studies, as well as role-plays.
About the trainers
Dr George Baylon Radics
Senior Lecturer
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Dr. George Radics received his PhD from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the National University of Singapore. He currently teaches Law in Society, Selected Topics in Law and Justice, Social Thought and Social Theory, and Sociology of Emotions. After receiving his PhD, Dr. Radics studied law at the University of Washington, where he obtained his law degree with a concentration in Asian law. Dr. Radics served as a research attorney at the Supreme Court of Guam for two years after graduating from law school. His interests are law and minorities, sociology of the law, criminal law, sociology of emotions, postcolonial studies, and Southeast Asia.
Dr Lohsnah Jeevanandam
Senior Lecturer
Director of Clinical Psychology Programme
D.Clin.Psych (Queensland), BA (Hons) (Sydney)
Research interests:
•Developmental disabilities
•Dual diagnosis
•Behavioral modification
•Parenting programmes
Recent/Representative Publications:
• Jeevanandam, L. (2009). Perspectives of intellectual disability in Asia: Epidemiology, policy, and services for children and adults. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 22, 462-468.
• Jeevanandam, L. & Oei, T.P. (2010). Service providers working with persons with intellectual disability: Burnout, coping, self-efficacy, attitudes, and psychological well-being. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing: Germany.