The institutions and practices of criminal justice are replete with ethical issues: law enforcement, judicial and correctional institutions require justification, and those who work within them must craft a professional ethic for the responsible fulfilment of their roles. Police must know how to exercise their discretionary authority, particularly with respect to the use of force and deception. Those involved in the work of adjudication ? prosecutors and defence lawyers, judges and juries, must also use their considerable powers with insight and care. The post conviction phase of the criminal justice process also poses significant ethical challenges ? from fundamental issues such as the justification of punishment to issues of implementation ? recourse to imprisonment and the conditions that should attend it. The course will offer an overview of most of the central ethical issues, but also provide opportunities for focused research on one or two topics of choice.

6,000 word essay (80%) and class presentation (20%).

Enrolment in the MA(PAE) or with the permission of the coordinator.