Do Perceptions of Legitimacy and Fairness Matter in Prison? Examining How Procedural and Distributive Justice Relate to Misconduct

Problem

The problem the study aimed to address: 

To explore how incarcerated individuals' perceptions of procedural justice (fairness and trustworthiness of correctional officers and disciplinary processes) and distributive justice (fairness in outcome distributions) influence misconduct behaviors in prison.

General impact on the system and/or public: 

• Misconduct reduction is critical for maintaining prison order and safety.
• Insights may guide corrections policies to improve institutional behavior, safety, and potentially reduce recidivism.

Research Questions:

1. How do perceptions of procedural and distributive justice relate to voluntary compliance with prison rules?
2. What is the relationship between these perceptions and perceived risks of misconduct penalties?
    

Method and Analysis

Program Evaluated: 

The study evaluated gaps in research regarding the influence of normative perceptions (fairness, trust) and instrumental judgments (sanction risks) on prison misconduct.
 

Data and Sample Size: 

• Sample: 144 incarcerated individuals from Maine Correctional Center and Maine State Prison.
• Stratified Sampling: Based on prior misconduct history (low, moderate, and high).
   

Analysis Used:

• Quantitative: Surveys using a 6-point Likert scale and regression analyses.
• Qualitative: Open-ended responses analyzed for contextual insight into normative and instrumental perceptions.
   

Outcome

Key Findings:

• Procedural Justice:
  • Normative perceptions (trust, fairness) were significantly linked to voluntary deference (compliance and cooperation).
  • Procedural fairness perceptions showed weak associations with compliance but were critical for improving legitimacy perceptions.
• Distributive Justice:
  • Perceptions of fairness in disciplinary outcomes did not strongly correlate with compliance but influenced perceptions of fairness and respect.
• Legitimacy:
  • Higher legitimacy perceptions correlated with increased cooperation and empowerment of correctional officers (COs).
• Instrumental Judgments:
  • Perceived effectiveness of COs strongly predicted the perceived risk of being caught for rule violations.
• Qualitative Insights:
  • Themes of mistrust, inconsistent punishments, and degrading treatment highlighted areas for improvement in staff behavior and institutional policies.

Implications or Recommendations: 

• Policy Recommendations:
  • Incorporate procedural justice and professionalism into CO training to build legitimacy.
  • Enhance transparency in disciplinary processes and decisions.
  • Consider inmate councils or mechanisms to increase inmates' voice and participation in policy enforcement.
• Future Research:
  • Test findings in diverse correctional systems, including women’s and juvenile facilities.
  • Explore the impact of therapeutic relationships and trust-building in reducing misconduct.

This study underscores the significance of fair treatment, trust, and effective institutional practices in shaping prison behavior and compliance.