Can There Be Abuse of Discretion in Corrections?.
When any institution or agency's current policy guidelines and procedure standards are set aside in lieu of officer discretion for everyday duties so often that they become the expected norms or standard rather than utilized for the unusual or exceptional situations, then abuse of that allowance for discretion has occurred. .
When the discretion that is allowed by policy becomes exercised so often and too rampantly ultimately, it will lead to chaos resulting in a breakdown in individual officer's and the institutional authority. The times that real emergencies or dangerous situations bring this to the forefront are the times when that authority is needed most as the inmates or staff are less likely to comply with commands that would benefit all involved by being carried out immediately. Instead it escalates the situation by slow or non-compliance. This can endanger all parties involved (possibly inmates, civilians, officers, and or members) as well as the innocent bystander in some situations. .
The varied habit of doing many routine things in a vastly different manner depending on the personnel on duty allows manipulation by the inmates of officer against officer, shift against shift, and privilege abuses to occur as well. Personal judgments can become cloudy or impaired and self-assurance then falters when the right and established way becomes only a possible way. Confusion will reign and the desire to excel disappears. Morale then drops off in inmates and staff, and the desired teamwork attitude needed to accomplish goals and objectives becomes shattered. .
With the "my way" philosophy or the "this is the way I have always done it", excuses are allowed to overrule the documented and proven guidelines which may keep the daily needed compliances from being fulfilled. If this attitude prevails, there can become no "same page" to work from.