Changes in Probation Officer Procedural Justice and Self-Reported Recidivism.

An increasing number of studies has studied the role of procedural justice for reducing recidivism in the probation context. The objective of this study is to contribute to existing knowledge by examining (a) whether people on probation alter their perceptions of probation officer procedural justice over time and (b) the extent to which changes in procedural justice relate to recidivism. This study utilized longitudinal data from 326 adults who were released from Dutch (pre-trial) detention centers and who had contact with the Probation Service. Using the reliable change index, our findings showed that a majority of people on probation changed their procedural justice perceptions over time, which suggested that perceptions of fairness and respect are malleable. Unchanged perceptions of probation officer procedural justice were related to self-reported recidivism, while the likelihood of recidivism did not differ between respondents with decreased and increased perceptions.

Procedural Justice in Their Eyes: A Qualitative Interview Study Among Detainees.

The literature on procedural justice has been mainly focused on examining whether a fair and respectful treatment affects justice-involved individuals' legitimacy evaluations and their behavior. It is, however, equally important to examine (a) the role that perceptions of procedural justice play for individuals in their encounters with criminal justice authorities and (b) what makes individuals feel treated procedurally (un-)just. In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 detainees in a Dutch prison, asking questions about their encounters with police officers, prison staff, judges, and probation officers. The findings showed that the majority of detainees raised issues of procedural justice, indicating that procedural justice plays an important role for them. In addition, five elements primarily shaped detainees' perceptions of procedural justice: (1) trustworthy motives, (2) interpersonal treatment, (3) neutrality, (4) participation, and (5) agency and process information. These elements of procedural justice were mentioned after encounters with most authorities.

Detainees' Perceptions of Procedural Justice: An Examination Throughout the Criminal Justice System.

Procedural justice literature proposes that when individuals perceive their treatment by criminal justice authorities as more procedurally just, they will be more likely to view those authorities as legitimate and, in turn, show more compliant behavior. Knowledge on potential determinants of procedural justice is, therefore, crucial. Research suggests that prior perceptions of procedural justice may influence later judgements of procedural justice. The current study used data from the Prison Project, including information on detainees' perceptions of their treatment by the police, the judge, the prison staff, the probation officer, and the lawyer. The findings show that detainees perceive the treatment by the lawyer as most procedurally just, while they evaluate the treatment by the police as least procedurally just. Further, how detainees experience the procedurally just treatment by the police is associated with how they feel treated by other authorities at a later stage in the criminal justice system.