Research Note: The Association of Procedural and Distributive Justice With Emotional Exhaustion Burnout Among Prison Officers in Nigeria

• Published date: 01 December 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/08874034241276813
• Author: Eric G. Lambert,Daniel E. Hall,Smart Otu,O. Oko Elechi,Morris Jenkins,Jennifer L. Lanterman,Huma Zia
• Date: 01 December 2024

https://doi.org/10.1177/08874034241276813

Criminal Justice Policy Review

2024, Vol. 35(5-6) 295 –311

© The Author(s) 2024

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DOI: 10.1177/08874034241276813

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Research Note

The Association of Procedural

and Distributive Justice

With Emotional Exhaustion

Burnout Among Prison

Officers in Nigeria

Eric G. Lambert1, Daniel E. Hall2,

Smart Otu3, O. Oko Elechi4, Morris Jenkins5,

Jennifer L. Lanterman6, and Huma Zia5

Abstract

Prison officers have a demanding job and are at risk of burnout. The literature indicates

that workplace variables are related to burnout, but there are gaps in the literature

that need to be addressed, including the need for additional research on the association

of organizational justice with officer burnout. Organizational justice theory holds that

employees expect to be treated fairly by their organizations and that psychological strain

occurs if they are not, and this strain increases the chances of job burnout. The current

study examined how distributive and procedural justice views, which are dimensions of

organizational justice, were related to the emotional exhaustion burnout of Nigerian

prison officers. Data were collected from 120 officers stationed at medium-security prison

in southeast Nigeria. Both procedural justice and distributive justice were significantly

associated with lower emotional exhaustion burnout. The current findings support the

postulation that workplace fairness is associated with lower levels of job burnout.

Keywords

correctional officers, prison officers, organizational justice, job burnout, Nigeria

1Indiana University Northwest, Gary, USA

2Miami University, Hamilton, OH, USA

3Federal University, Ikwo, Nigeria

4Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, USA

5Lewis University, Romeoville, IL, USA

6University of Nevada, Reno, USA

Corresponding Author:

Eric G. Lambert, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Northwest, Dunes

Medical, Professional Building, Room 2101, 3400 Broadway, Gary, IN 46408, USA.

Email: erilambe@iu.edu

1276813CJPXXX10.1177/08874034241276813Criminal Justice Policy ReviewLambert et al.

research-article2024

296Criminal Justice Policy Review 35(5-6)

Officers are an essential resource for prisons across the globe; they perform numerous

essential tasks for prisons to operate. Not only do officers affect the operation of pris-

ons, but the prison work environment affects officers (Garland et al., 2014; Lambert

et al., 2023). Working in a prison is a unique and demanding occupation, and officer

burnout can be possibility (Choi et al., 2020; Lambert, Keena, et al., 2022). In fact,

Keinan and Malach-Pines (2007) reported that prison officers have higher levels of

burnout than the general population, and even higher than police officers. Job burnout,

an undesirable outcome for both the officer and the prison, can result in increased

physical and mental health problems (Belcastro et al., 1982), greater absenteeism

(Lambert et al., 2015), decreased work performance (Maslach et al., 2001), higher

turnover intent/turnover (Carlson & Thomas, 2006; Lambert et al., 2015), higher

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Boudoukha et al., 2013), and reduced life

satisfaction (Lambert et al., 2015). Due to the negative outcomes indicated above,

research is needed on the variables that are associated with the emotional exhaustion

dimension of job burnout among correctional staff. The current study examined how

two dimensions of organizational justice were associated with the emotional exhaus-

tion dimension of job burnout among officers at a prison in southeast Nigeria.

Organizational justice refers to worker perceptions that the organization treats

them in a fair and just manner (Colquitt et al., 2001; Greenberg, 1990). Different

dimensions of organizational justice exist, but distributive justice (perceived fairness

of organizational outcomes) and procedural justice (perceived fairness of processes/

procedures to reach outcome) are its two main dimensions (Greenberg, 1990;

Lambert, 2003). Job burnout refers to psychological strain that manifests itself in the

burnout dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense

of work accomplishment (Garland, 2004; Garland et al., 2014; Lambert et al., 2013;

Maslach & Jackson, 1981). The current study focuses on the emotional exhaustion

dimension of job burnout.

New research is needed. The study by Lambert, Hogan, Jiang, et al. (2010) was the

only published research located that focused on how both procedural justice and dis-

tributive justice were related to emotional exhaustion burnout among prison staff, and

this study involved staff at a U.S. prison. New research in different settings is needed.

As noted by Lindsay and Ehrenberg (1993), replication research not only confirms (or

contradicts) past findings, but it allows for a more thorough understanding of the con-

ditions when relationships between variables vary across different settings. The study

by Lambert, Hogan, Jiang, et al. (2010) involved staff at a U.S. correctional facility.

Prisons are found all over the world, and the associations between justice variables and

job burnout could vary across nations and cultures; conversely, the associations could

be universal. The question of whether the associations are universal or contextual can-

not be answered without studies involving staff working in correctional facilities in

different nations. Jowell (1998) has argued that there is a need for research in different

nations because it provides information about whether and how relationships vary in

different settings. While the current study cannot conclusively answer that question,

it does add to the literature about whether the effects of procedural and distributive

justice are universal or contextual.