The privacy of the confessional extends to clergy–inmate communications within the prison walls. While a clergyman should counsel and encourage an inmate to tell the whole story to the authorities, the clergyman is under no obligation to divulge any information.Paul Jernigan, in detention pending trial, asks to see a priest. Jernigan gives the priest information that could affect the outcome of the trial, and the priest urges Jernigan to volunteer this information to the prosecutor. Jernigan tells the priest that he will have to think about it. As the priest leaves, Corrections Officer Potamkin asks, “Did he confess? What did he tell you?” The priest declines to give any information to Potamkin. Potamkin angrily tells the priest, “You are obstructing justice. Because of you, a guilty person may go free and an innocent person may be punished. It is your duty as a priest to protect the innocent and to see that justice is done.” This action by Corrections Officer Potamkin is

Related Test: Corrections Officer Exam Practice Test 1