Ethics in Criminal Justice ─ In Search of the Truth

Introducing the fundamentals of ethical theory, this text exposes the reader to the ways and means of making moral judgments by covering the teachings of the great philosophers, sources of criminal justice ethics, and unethical patterns in the criminal justice system. It is presented from two perspectives: a thematic perspective that addresses ethical principles common to all components of the discipline and an area-specific perspective that addresses the state of ethics in criminal justice in the fields of policing, corrections, and probation and parole.

• Introduces students to great ethical thinkers and philosophical concepts in an accessible, reader-friendly manner
• A new chapter on civility in the criminal justice workplace addresses concerns of race and gender in the context of ethics
• Challenges readers to emphasize and restore ethics in their part of the criminal justice field


• Offers key terms, review questions, and "What You Will Learn" features for every chapter

Sam S. Souryal is Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice and former Assistant Dean at the College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University. A former police officer and public manager, Dr. Souryal has taught public administration, organization theory, and police management courses at the University of Wisconsin and Sam Houston State University. He has published numerous books and has been a frequent presenter at the Texas Law Enforcement Management Institute (LEMIT), International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), Texas Probation Commission Training, and the American Corrections Association. In 1999, he served as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Indonesia. A multi-lingual educator, Souryal has also lectured in Oxford, Germany, China, Taiwan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Indonesia, Hungary, Mozambique, Botswana, and East Timor. He has also lectured at the FBI Academy. His continued involvement in both comparative and American criminal justice has earned him national and international recognition.