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Procedural justice and prisoners' mental health problems: a longitudinal study
Karin A Beijersbergen1, Anja J E Dirkzwager, Veroni I Eichelsheim
1Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health : CBMH
|September 7, 2013
Summary
Fair treatment in prison, known as procedural justice, significantly improves prisoners' mental health over time. This study highlights the importance of respectful interactions for psychological well-being in correctional facilities.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Mental health issues are prevalent in prison populations.
- Procedural justice is a potential determinant of prisoner well-being.
- Longitudinal evidence on this relationship is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal association between procedural justice and mental health in prisoners.
- To examine if coping style moderates the relationship between procedural justice and mental health.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 824 adult male prisoners in the Netherlands.
- Data collected 3 weeks and 3 months post-reception into pre-trial detention.
- Cross-lagged structural equation modeling used to analyze associations.
Main Results:
- Higher reported procedural justice at 3 weeks predicted fewer mental health problems at 3 months.
- No significant moderating effect of coping style was observed.
- A longitudinal relationship between procedural justice and mental health was established.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a causal link between procedural justice and psychological well-being in prisoners.
- Fair and respectful treatment positively impacts prisoners' mental health.
- Procedural justice is crucial for both prison order and inmate well-being.
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