ABSTRACT
Psychologists working in prisons and secure settings frequently feel their codes of ethics do not assist them, especially when they face novel and challenging ethical problems. This chapter examines how psychologists can use them to practise at the most aspirational level possible in their circumstances and to solve novel ethical problems they could encounter in prisons. Psychologists must, therefore, understand their responsibilities well enough to obey them when making professional decisions and to explain them, and their implications, to clients, colleagues and others their professional behaviour might impact upon. The beneficence principle requires psychologists to do good and show compassion as far as practical and allowed by their normative obligations. Positive beneficence requires psychologists to promote the best interest of their clients within the normative structure of their work. Psychologists should identify limitations in their knowledge, skills and experience, and undertake remedial action through appropriate continuing professional development.
