Behaviour Modification in Custody Flashcards
What is the aim of behaviour modification programmes and what do they use?
To reinforce obedient behaviour in offenders whilst punishing disobedience in the hope that the former continues and the latter dies out
This is made possible through token economy systems which is managed and coordinated by prison staff and is something that all are required to adhere to
What principle is the token economy system based on and how does it work?
Based on operate conditioning- involves reinforcing desirable behaviour with a token that can be exchanged for a reward e.g. rewarded for keeping cell tidy or avoiding conflict
Each time prisoner carries out a behaviour they are rewarded with a token. They are secondary reinforcers as they derive their value from their association with the reward. Rewards vary from gym-use to a phone-call
Acceptable behaviour and reward made clear to the prisoners
Non-compliance or disobedience may result in tokens or privileges being withdrawn (form of punishment)
How is behaviour changed?
The identified desirable behaviour us broken down into small incremental steps and a baseline is established. The behaviours to be reinforced are decided upon and all those that come into contact must follow the same regime of selective reinforcement, a prison guard may turn the other cheek when they catch a prisoner turn the other cheek.
The system is monitored by prisoner officials who look at effectiveness of the management of the prison as a whole as well as on the behaviour of offenders
What was Hobbs and Holt’s research into the token economy system?
Token economy system with young delinquents in three behavioural units (a fourth acted as a control) they observed a significant difference in positive behaviour compared to the non-token group
Allyon found a similar effect with adults in a prison
What are the long-term effects of this strategy?
Cohen + Fitzpatrick showed how a token economy group showed more desirable behaviour in prison but recidivism rates after 3 years returned to those similar to national statistics- showing that behaviour modification may delay recidivism but it may not have an impact long term
What is a strength of this strategy?
Easy to implement - there are no need for expertise or specialist professionals unlike those needed for anger management - token economy can be implemented by anyone in the institution
Also cost effective and easy to manage once established
What research opposes it being easy to implement?
Bassett and Blanchard found that an benefits were lost after staff applied the techniques inconsistently due to lack of training and high staff turnover
What is meant by little rehabilitative value?
Blackburn suggested that the rehabilitative value and positive changes were lost when the prisoners were released. Token economies are at their best when establishing appropriate conduct within prison in respect to a very specific set of behaviours but progress is not likely to extend beyond the institution. This may be as a result of the idea that law-abiding behaviour us not valued on the outside or rewards attached to breaking the law are of a greater value than not
What are the ethical issues?
Can be viewed as manipulative and dehumanising - Moya and Achtenbury
In an institution that implements token economies all prisoners must take part as the scheme is obligatory not optional
Even though they may choose to opt out of taking part they do have privileges withdrawn such as contact with loved ones - ethically questionable
What is passive token learning?
Behaviour modification only deals with surface behaviour and results in passive learning . Anger management is much more effective as the offender is active in their learning and therefore takes greater responsibility for the rehabilitation. Also prisoners are likely to play along in order to receive rewards - may explain the quick relapse once released
Which programmes are most effective and what was the research into this?
Individually tailored programmes
Field et al examined a token economy used with young people with behavioural difficulties - this was generally effective
Later when these youths were placed on a programme where rewards were more frequent and the immediate results were positive - suggests that programmes should be matched so the rewards and frequency of rewards should match
What are conjugal visits and are they positive?
Sex with a partner on visits put in place to help keep in place family bonds and increase the prisoners’ chance of having a successful return to normal family life. These are not allowed in the UK but are in some states of the USA. Research suggests such visits reduce physical and sexual violence (D’Alessio et al 2012)
