Going Above and Beyond: Procedural Justice, Wellbeing, and Organizational Citizenship Among New Prison Officers

Forthcoming in Corrections: Policy, Practice and Research: This study explores the relationship between procedural justice, mental wellbeing, and confidence in carrying out organizational citizenship behavior among new prison officers recruited through the Unlocked Graduates Leadership Development Programme in England and Wales. We found a direct association between supervisory procedural justice and organizational citizenship, and an indirect association between organizational procedural justice and organizational citizenship, through mental wellbeing. These findings suggest that while prison officers directly reciprocate the fair treatment received by supervisors by engaging in discretionary actions benefiting the organization, fair treatment by the organization has more of an indirect effect via influencing officer wellbeing. Our results highlight the importance of both supervisors and organizations treating their staff with procedural justice; not only is fair treatment associated with greater mental wellbeing, but it encourages behaviors that extend beyond formal job requirements. Cultivating such behaviors among new prison officers may ultimately improve practices, cultures, and outcomes for people in custody within prisons.