Behaviour modification in custody

• Behavior modification is a form of therapy used in prisons to change offenders’ behavior. The approach is based on operant conditioning, where desired behaviors are reinforced and undesirable behaviors are punished. The aim is to increase obedience and decrease disobedience.
• Token economies are systems in which inmates are given tokens for exhibiting desired behaviours.

  • These tokens act as secondary reinforcers and can later be exchanged for rewards (primary reinforcers), such as extra recreation time, more privileges, or food items.
  • The system is structured and encourages prisoners to behave appropriately to earn these rewards, motivating them to change their behavior.
• Punishment in behaviour modification refers to the withdrawal of privileges or the imposition of additional restrictions to discourage undesirable behaviours, such as aggression, non-compliance, or disrespect towards staff.

  • This method works on the principle of negative reinforcement, where an unpleasant consequence follows the unwanted behaviour, to reduce that behaviour.
• A strength of behavior modification is that it has been shown to modify behavior effectively in controlled environments. Allyon and Azrin (1968) demonstrated that token economies in prisons increased appropriate behaviors, such as cleanliness and cooperation. The clear structure and use of rewards help motivate inmates to engage in desirable behaviors. However, these results may be limited to controlled settings and may not generalize to more complex real-world situations.
• A limitation is that behavior modification may not lead to long-term change in behavior. Once the offender is released, the reinforcement system is no longer in place, and the individual may resume criminal behavior. Rice et al. (1990) found that although token economies were effective in custody, the recidivism rate remained high after release, suggesting that behavioral changes may not be permanent outside of the prison context.
• Another issue is the ethical concerns related to behaviour modification, particularly with punishment. The use of privilege withdrawal or restrictive measures may be seen as dehumanizing or manipulative, raising concerns about inmates' rights. Critics argue that it may violate personal autonomy by controlling behaviour in ways that could exploit vulnerable individuals, making it an ethically questionable approach in some cases.
• A strength of behaviour modification is that it is relatively easy to implement. The use of token economy systems can be straightforward to set up and administer in prison environments as it does not need expertise or specialist professionals. Once established, staff can easily monitor inmates' behaviour and provide consistent reinforcement for desirable behaviour. This structured and systematic approach does not require complex training or resources, making it cost-effective and manageable for correctional facilities.