Dealing with offending behaviour (behaviour modification in custody)

Question 1

what are behaviour modification techniques based on?

Answer 1

-the Behaviourist principles of Operant Conditioning.
-These programmes are designed with the aim of systematically reinforcing desirable behaviour in offenders in prison, whilst punishing disobedience, in the hope
that the undesirable behaviour becomes extinct both inside and outside of prison.

Question 2

What is one such behaviour modification technique?

Answer 2

Token economy

Question 3

what is a token economy and why does it work?

Answer 3

is a system of exchange of goods (economy) based on tokens (something neutral that has no
intrinsic value).
-Such a token economy works well in a prison because rewards can be
precisely manipulated and controlled by prison staff

Question 4

what are prisoners given in order to reinforce desirable behaviours?

Answer 4

-tokens when they perform
desirable behaviours, e.g. avoiding conflict.
-These tokens can then be used in exchange, to obtain desirable goods such as tobacco, food or watching TV

Question 5

What are the such as food and what do the tokens become?

Answer 5

The items such as food are primary reinforcers and the tokens become secondary reinforcers through their association with the primary reinforcers (classical conditioning).

Question 6

What is done to extinguish and desirable behaviours?

Answer 6

tokens could be removed, this would be a punishment.

Question 7

what process can be used?

Answer 7

process of shaping can be used, whereby tokens are given for behaviours that progressively become more complex. e.g.initially tokens would be given for
prisoners making their bed daily (something easily achievable) and then later it might be for being polite to prison guards.