Do Perceptions of Procedural Justice Shape Offenders’ Willingness to Change?

Abstract

Prior research showed that willingness to change is an important predictor to enhance the desistance process. The aim of the current study was to examine how perceptions of procedural justice might promote individuals’ willingness to change. Based on two waves of data from the SVORI-project, a sample of 667 people on community supervision were followed over time. The findings demonstrate that procedural justice is positively associated with willingness to change. Furthermore, the findings show an indirect positive effect from perceptions of procedural justice at T1—via subsequent perceptions at T2—to willingness to change at T2. These findings provide tangible evidence to support the role of officers in facilitating individuals’ change process by treating them in a procedurally just manner.

Keywords

procedural justice willingness to change probation parole desistance

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