The Impact of Procedural Justice on Non-Compliance During Community Supervision: A Longitudinal Analysis

This study examines the longitudinal relationship between procedural justice in encounters with parole or probation officers and non-compliance during community supervision. Based on two waves of data (3 and 9 months after release) from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) project in the United States, a sample of 667 people on community supervision were examined. Cross-lagged structural equation models were employed to investigate associations. The results show an indirect negative effect from officer procedural justice at T1—via subsequent perceptions of procedural justice at T2—to recidivism at T2. How parole and probation officers interact with their clients may affect their clients’ likelihood of recidivism, violation of supervision conditions, and receiving a formal violation. Study findings are discussed in the context of the literature establishing the importance of quality relationships in community corrections.