Behaviour Modification in Custody

• Behaviour modification is one of several schemes that may form part of the custodial sentence.
• Behaviour modification aims to effectively manage and monitor offenders during their sentence and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
• According to behaviourists, all human behaviour is learnt. In which case it should be possible to encourage the unlearning of behaviour.
• Behaviour modification programs are designed with the aim of reinforcing obedient behaviour in offenders whilst punishing disobedience/undesirable behaviour.
• In a token economy, prisoners are given a token every time they perform desirable behaviour.
• Behaviours and rewards are made clear to prisoners before the program is implemented. Non-complience or disobedience results in the removal of tokens.
• Tokens are secondary reinforcers as they have no value in themselves.
• Tokens can be exchanged for a primary reinforcers e.g. phone to call a loved one, time in the gym or extra cigarettes and food.
• Operationalising target behaviours

  • Break it down into component parts
  • The units of behaviour should be measurable and objective and agreed on by all parties in advance.
• Scoring System

  • Staff and prisoners made aware of the scoring system
  • Behaviours are heirachral - some give greater rewards
• Gendreau et al (2011) suggested that reinforcement should outnumber punishment by 4:1.
• Training

  • Procedures hsould be standardised so that all prison staff are awarding the same behaviours the same way.