Behaviour modification in custody

• Behaviour modification

  Designed with the aim of reinforcing obedient behaviour in offenders, whilst punishing disobedience.
• Token economy

  • based on operant conditioning
  • desirable behaviour is rewarded with a token.
  • non-compliance will result in tokens being withheld/removed.
  • tokens = secondary reinforcers
  • exchange = primary reinforcer
• Designing and using a token economy

  • operationalise target behaviours
  • scoring system
  • train staff
• Operationalise target behaviours

  • target behaviour is broken down into parts.
  • 'units' of behaviour should be objective and agreed with prison staff/inmates
• Scoring system

  • how much behaviour is worth.
  • some are more demanding so deserve more rewards.
• Train staff

  • prison staff are given full training to implement the token economy system successfully.
  • aim is to standardise procedures, behaviour is rewarded the same way.
• Strength - research support

  Hobbs + Holt

  Introduced token economy programme with groups of young offenders.

  Observed significant difference in positive behaviour compared to non-token economy group.
• Counterpoint - Consistency from staff

  Benefits lost if staff applied techniques inconsistently.

  Could be due to lack of training or high turnover.

  BM schemes won't work if not consistent
• Strength - easy to implement

  Straightforward

  No need for trained professionals.

  Can be designed for any institution and cost effective.
• Limitation - rehabilitative value

  Any positive changed may be quickly lost once released from prison.

  Easily modify behaviour for rewards but won't change overall character so will easily regress back to former behaviour