Perceived legitimacy or dull compulsion? Assessing why incarcerated offenders comply with correctional rules

Perception of Correctional Officers’ Legitimacy in South African Correctional Centers

“…The importance of correctional officers’ legitimacy to offenders’ compliance and cooperation is an important area of research considering the regular contact between offenders and correctional officers (Bello & Matshaba, 2023; Franke et al, 2010; Hacin, 2018). Aptly defined by Sunshine and Tyler (2003) as the “property of an authority or institution that leads people to feel that that authority or institution is entitled to be deferred to and obeyed.” (p. 514), legitimacy is critical to the effectiveness of legal institutions.…”

“…The legitimacy of correctional officers, therefore, is what nurtures in offenders the belief that correctional officers are authority figures and should be obeyed and respected (Bello & Matshaba, 2022a;Bottoms & Tankebe, 2012;Steiner & Wooldredge, 2015;Tankebe, 2013;Tyler, 2006). Research maintains that the perceived legitimacy of correctional officers is critical for order and safety in corrections (Bello & Matshaba, 2023;Hacin & Mesˇko, 2018).…”

“…Judgment about the legitimacy of correctional officers is instrumental to offenders’ compliance with correctional rules (Franke et al, 2010; Meško & Hacin, 2019, Steiner & Wooldredge, 2018). If incarcerated offenders consider correctional officers legitimate, they are more likely to defer to them and comply with correctional rules, ahead of their personal interests (Bello & Matshaba, 2022a, 2023; Steiner & Wooldredge, 2015; Tankebe, 2013). Beyond offenders’ interests, deference to correctional officers and custodial rules is also instrumental to promoting offender well-being, safety, and institutional effectiveness (Bottoms & Tankebe, 2012; Steiner & Wooldredge, 2015).…”