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Discretion as weakness: Exploring the relationship between correctional officers' attitudes toward discretion and attempted boundary violations

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  • Stevens, Leanne
  • Schultz, William J.
  • Patterson, Andrew C.

Abstract

Research paints discretion as a tool correctional officers (COs) use to navigate their work. Discretion helps COs gain compliance and resolve conflicts amicably, and officers sometimes use it to improve relationships with incarcerated people. However, research also suggest that COs' reliance on discretionary power may produce harmful complications, undermining institutional regulations and creating conditions for serious rule violations. Little quantitative analysis exists on how CO discretion impacts prison operations, making the broader impact of discretion unclear. To address this gap, we use open-access data collected between 2017 and 2018 (Griffin & Hepburn, 2020). We then test whether a CO's attitude toward discretion may correspond with attempts from incarcerated people to encourage boundary violations. Results show that COs with more liberal attitudes toward discretion correspond with higher odds of being approached by incarcerated people to violate boundaries. Black COs have lower odds of being approached for minor boundary violations, while women officers have higher odds of having incarcerated people try to initiate an inappropriate relationship. Findings show that liberal attitudes among COs toward discretion may encourage incarcerated people to violate the most consequential prison rules. We conclude by discussing the implications for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Stevens, Leanne & Schultz, William J. & Patterson, Andrew C., 2024. "Discretion as weakness: Exploring the relationship between correctional officers' attitudes toward discretion and attempted boundary violations," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:95:y:2024:i:c:s0047235224001235
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102274
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William J Schultz & Rosemary Ricciardelli, 2023. "The Floating Signifier of ‘Safety’: Correctional Officer Perspectives on COVID-19 Restrictions, Legitimacy and Prison Order," The British Journal of Criminology, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, vol. 63(5), pages 1237-1254.
    2. Ryan Williams & Alison Liebling, 2023. "Do prisons cause radicalization? Order, leadership, political charge and violence in two maximum security prisons," The British Journal of Criminology, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, vol. 63(1), pages 97-114.
    3. Weitzer, Ronald, 2000. "White, black, or blue cops? Race and citizen assessments of police officers," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 313-324.
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