MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE 30 2. Exercise good judgment Monitors should have an awareness of the standards and rules against which they are conducting their monitoring. However, whatever their number, relevance and precision, rules cannot substitute for good personal judgement and common sense. Monitors should therefore possess and exercise good judgment in all circumstances. 3. Respect the authorities and the staff in charge Unless a minimum basis of mutual respect is established between the staff and the visiting team, the work in the places of detention might be jeopardised. Visitors should always respect the functioning of the authorities and try to identify the hierarchic levels and their responsibilities so as to be able to address any problem at the right level. While it is clear that one can find individual staff with inappropriate behaviour, many problems stem not from individuals but from an inadequate system for deprivation of liberty which fosters inappropriate behaviour. Visitors should also take into account the fact that staff working in places of detention are carrying out a demanding job, often socially undervalued and, in many countries, poorly paid. 4. Respect the persons deprived of liberty Whatever the reasons for deprivation of liberty, detainees must be treated with respect and courtesy. The visitor should introduce him or herself.