What are the four pillars of procedural justice?

• A. Fairness and consistency, voice and representation, transparency, and impartiality.
• B. Efficiency, cost, speed, and secrecy.
• C. Democracy, rights, duties, and obligations.
• D. Safety, security, control, and order.

Answer: (A)

Procedural justice centers on how decisions are made, not just what the outcomes are. The four pillars capture what makes a process feel fair: fairness and consistency ensure rules are applied the same to everyone, preventing bias; voice and representation give people a real opportunity to speak up and be heard; transparency means the steps, criteria, and reasons behind decisions are openly explained; impartiality guarantees neutrality in how cases are handled, free from favoritism. When these elements are present, people trust the process and are more likely to accept and comply with the results, because they feel treated with respect and honesty. In corrections, this means inmates and staff experience decisions as fair, understandable, and respectful, which supports legitimacy and reduces conflict. The other options focus on speed, cost, secrecy, or control rather than the fairness-oriented way decisions are reached.