title: Procedural justice and prisoners' mental health problems: a longitudinal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Given the high prevalence of mental health problems among prisoners, knowledge on its determinants is important. Prior cross-sectional studies suggest that procedurally just treatment within prison is a significant predictor; however, longitudinal research is lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to examine (1) the longitudinal relationship between prisoners' perceptions of procedural justice--including fairness, respect, humanity and relationships with officers--and their mental health and (2) the moderating role of coping style in this relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from the Prison Project, a longitudinal study of adult male prisoners in the Netherlands, interviewed both 3 weeks and 3 months after their reception into pre-trial detention (N = 824). A cross-lagged structural equation model was employed to investigate associations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prisoners who reported experiencing a higher level of procedural justice 3 weeks after their arrival in custody reported fewer mental health problems after 3 months. No evidence was found that coping style moderated this relationship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest a causal relationship between procedural justice and psychological well-being. Fair and respectful treatment of prisoners is a predictor not only of prison order and prisoners' compliance but also of prisoners' psychological well-being.
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Beijersbergen
authors.forename: Anja J E
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dirkzwager
authors.forename: Veroni I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Eichelsheim
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: van der Laan
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nieuwbeerta
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons; D012935:Social Justice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors