Redemption and Salvation

In the United States, criminals may be accepted back into society after they have served the sentence for their crimes. Canon 6 and its interpretations do not provide sufficient guidance in these circumstances. Consider the case of an engineering supervisor who is considering whether to hire an engineer who has been reprimanded for violating the Code of Ethics.

Jane Smith was a registered engineer and the head of a state agency that administered a large public works program. She and James Jones, her assistant, also a registered engineer, were charged with establishing dummy agencies within the state to receive funds from the program. Those funds were channeled into their personal accounts. Smith and Jones were fined and convicted of fraud and embezzlement, and sentenced to prison terms.

The state registration board revoked their engineering licenses while they were serving the last several months of their prison terms. Smith qualified for a work-release program under state law, which allowed her to work during the day and return to prison each night.

The XYZ Engineering Firm, located near the prison where Smith is serving her term, proposes to hire Smith as a technician. Smith will not be in responsible charge of engineering, and will not sign or seal engineering documents. Is the head of XYZ Engineering ethical in offering an opportunity to Jane Smith?

Because Jane Smith will not have engineering responsibilities, the head of XYZ Engineering can ethically offer her the job. The head of XYZ is perhaps even laudable in offering Jane a second chance to become a useful member of society.