Behaviour modification in custody

• What is behaviour modification?

  • Based on the principles of operant conditioning.
  • general aim is to replace undesirable behaviours with more desirable ones through the selective use of positive/negative reinforcement
• Behaviour modification programmes are designed to reinforce obedient behaviours in offenders and punishing disobedience, hoping the former continues and the latter dies out
• What is a token economy?

  • A form of behaviour modificarion
  • Reinforcing desirable behaviour with a token that can be exchanged for a reward
  • Desirable behaviour within a prison may include: avoiding conflict, following rules, keeping an orderly cell
• Token economy rewards and punishments? (OC)

  • Rewards may include: exchanging tokens for a phone call, time in gym, exercise, cigarettes or certain food
  • It is emphasised to prisoners that non-compliance or disobedience may result in the tokens and privileges being withheld or removed (punishment)
• How can a token economy be applied in prison?

  • The desirable behaviour is identified and broken down into small steps (‘increments’).
  • A baseline measure is established. E.g. speaking politely to staff and prisoners or avoiding conflict.
  • The target behaviour must be measurable and objective.
  • Offenders must follow selective reinforcement
  • Prison officers may reinforce a prisoner for working positively in a group
  • Prison officials can monitor the programme’s effectiveness
• How is a token economy relative to operant conditioning?

  • Prisoners are given a token each time they perform a desirable behaviour (e.g. not getting into a fight with another prisoner, obeying prison rules and schedules)
  • Tokens are secondary reinforcers as they derive their value from their association with a reward.
  • Different prisoners will be motivated by different rewards, earning the token enables choice of how to spend it
• Research support, strength for the efficacy of token economy? (AO3)

  • HOBBS AND HOLT (1976)
  • introduced a token economy programme with groups of young delinquents across 3 behavioural units and included a 4th unit as a control.
  • observed a significant difference in positive behaviour compared to the non-token economy group.
  • A similar effect was found with offenders in an adult prison (ALLYON ET AL)
• What is a strength of token economy implication? (AO3)

  • Easy to implement
  • No need for expertise or specialist professionals unlike anger management as a treatment.
  • Can be implemented by anyone in any institution.
  • Cost-effective and easy to follow once workable methods of reinforcement have been established.
• What is a limitation of token economy implication? (AO3 COUNTER)

  • HOWEVER, the use of such systems depends on a consistent approach from prison staff.
  • BASSET AND BLANCHARD (1977) found any benefits were lost after staff applied the techniques inconsistently due to factors
  • (e.g. lack of appropriate training or high staff turnover)
• Limitation of behaviour modification on rehabilitation? (AO3)

  • Little rehabilitative value
  • RONALD BLACKBURN (1993) suggested BM has ‘little rehabilitative value’
  • any positive changes in behaviour that may occur whilst the offender is in prison may quickly be lost when they’re released.
  • Law-abiding behaviour is not always reinforced on the outside
  • The rewards the offender receives from breaking the law may be more powerful (e.g. group status)
• Ethical issues linked to behaviour modification? (AO3)

  • MOYA AND ACHTENBURG- The terms and conditions of behaviour modification are regarded as manipulative and dehumanising by several commentators
  • The scheme is obligatory instead of optional, the withdrawal of privileges (such as exercise or contact with loved ones) may be seen as an abuse of human rights
  • breaches the code of ethics (e.g. protection from harm)