It is the right of every citizen to be free from fear of harm to person and property. Belief in the necessity of law to an orderly society demands commitment to support it. All fields of corrections accept this responsibility and view themselves as an instrument for both control and treatment appropriate to all offenders. Corrections recognizes that prosecution of the offender is but part of the responsibility of the criminal justice system. The victim of criminal activity may suffer from the loss of property, emotional problems, or physical disability.
Corrections thus commits itself to advocacy for the needs and interests of crime victims.
Freedom and democracy require fair, individualized, and humane due process of law in adjudicating, sentencing, supervising and treating the offender. Belief in the individual's capability for behavioral change leads corrections practitioners to a commitment to rehabilitation. Corrections practice focuses on identifying and making available those services and programs that will best afford offenders an opportunity to become responsible, law abiding citizens. The risk to the community posed by an offender should be assessed on an individual basis and rehabilitative treatment should be individualized. Corrections subscribes to the principle of intervening in the offenders life only to the extent necessitated by public safety.