Modification in custody

• Behaviour modification

  • Behaviour modification works on the principles of operant conditioning.
  • The aim is to replace undesirable behaviour with more desirable ones Using positive and/or negative reinforcement (through token economies).
  • Designed with the aim of reinforcing obedient behaviour in offenders whilst punishing disobedience with the hope that offending behaviour becomes extinct.
• Token economies

  • Based on operant conditioning
  • In prison, desirable behaviours may include avoiding confrontation, following prison rules.
  • Prisoners are given a token each time a desirable behaviour is performed.
  • prisoner is made aware of the desired behaviours may include and associated rewards before the programme is implemented.
  • It is emphasised non-compliance or disobedience may result in the tokens and associated privileges being withheld or removed.
• Theory behind token economies

  • Tokens are not rewarding in themselves but derive their value from their association with the reward.
  • Tokens are therefore classed as secondary reinforcers
  • In prisons, tokens might be exchanged for a phone call to a loved one, time in the gym or their desired food. The rewards are known as primary reinforcers.
• Designing a token economy

  • Operationalise target behaviours
  • Scoring system
  • Train staff
• Operationalisation of target behaviours

  • Target behaviour is operationalised by breaking it down into component parts
  • E.g target behaviours may be improved interaction with prison inmates
  • This may be broken down down into: Not touching another prisoner as you pass them, speaking politely to other prisoners and staff
  • Unit’s of behaviour should be objective and measurable and agreed with prison staff and the inmate in advance.
• Scoring system

  • Staff and prisoners should be made aware of the scoring system and how much each behaviour is worth.
  • behaviours are hierarchical in the sense that some behaviours are more demanding than other so receive greater reward
  • For example, if improving interactions with other inmates, we might award more tokens for working co-operative let in a group, rather than not swearing
  • The recommendation is that reinforcements should outnumber punishments by a ratio of 4:1
• Training staff

  • Prison staff should be given full training
  • Training may involve several hours for a number of weeks
  • The aim is to standardise the procedures so that all prison staff are rewarding the same behaviours in the same way
  • Staff must record when they have awarded tokens so the progress of the individual prisoners can be assessed.
• Research support for the effectiveness of token economies

  • Hobb and Holt introduced the token economy system with a group of young offenders across 3 behavioural units and a fourth unit which acted as a control. Results found a significant difference in positive behaviours compared to non-token economy group.
  • Field et al, found a token economy programme used with young people with behavioural problems was generally effective. Those who didnt respond were placed on a special programme where rewards were more frequent and positive.
  • Suggests practically token economy systems do work
• Easy to implement

  • For example, token economies rest largely upon the ease with which it can be administered.
  • This is because there is no need for a specialist professional to be involved. Token economies can be designed by anyone in the institution and are cost effective and easy to follow once rewards have been established.
  • Therefore behaviour modification techniques can be established in most prisons and accessed by most prisoners.
• Little rehabilitative value

  • Blackburn argued behaviour modification has ‘little rehabilitative value’ and any positive changes in behaviour that may occur whilst an offender is in prison may quickly be lost once they are released.
  • More cognitive-based treatments such as anger management may be more likely to lead to permanent behavioural change as they understand the cause of their offending and take responsibility for their own rehabilitation.
  • Therefore this suggests once the token Economy is discontinued an offender may quickly regress back to their former behaviour
• Ethical issues

  • Moyà and Achtenberg have described behaviour modification as manipulative and dehumanising.
  • This is because participation in the scheme is obligatory rather than optional and human rights campaigners have suggested withdrawal of privileges such as exercise and contact with loved ones (in the form of withdrawal of tokens) is unethical. Despite serving time for their crimes, offenders should have access to things like food and this should not be dependent on their behaviour.
  • This raises concerns of whether token economies should be implemented.