Behaviour modification

• What is behaviour modification in custody?

  • Application of behaviourist principles to the management of offenders in penal institutions - they are programmes designed with the aim of reinforcing obedient behaviour while punishing disobedience
  • Based on operant conditioning principles, assuming that because behaviour is learned it should be possible to unlearn behaviour
• How do token economies work?

  • Desirable behaviours are identified and operationalised such as avoiding confrontation, keeping cell tidy, etc. and each time a prisoner performs these, they are given a token
  • Value of tokens, rewards, and behaviours must be clearly defined to prisoners so they understand how to get them e.g. rewards may include more free time, smoke breaks
  • Good behaviour is rewarded with tokens and disobedience or non-compliance is punished by taking tokens away or withholding privileges
• What are primary and secondary reinforcers?

  • Tokens are not rewarding in themselves but derive their value from association with rewards and are so called secondary reinforcers - something that can be used to buy/obtain the primary reinforcer
  • Primary reinforcers are things that are needed or wanted by the individual, such as phone calls to loved ones, extra food or cigarettes, etc.
• What is one strength of behaviour modification in custody?

  • Research support: Hobbs and Holt (1976) implemented token economy programmes across 3 behavioural units with young offenders and found a significant increase in positive behaviour than control group
  • Field et al. (2004) found TEPs were generally effective in young people with behavioural problems, and had irresponsive youths put in a special programme with more immediate rewards and found more positive results
  • Suggests TEPS do work
• What is another strength of behaviour modification in custody?

  • Easy to implement - it is appealing because it can be easily administered as there is no need for specialist professionals like other treatments
  • Cost-effective and easy to follow once workable methods of reinforcement have been established
  • Shows that it is a relatively straightforward programme to set up in custody making it a suitable choice
• What is one limitation of behaviour modification in custody?

  • Inconsistent approach: success of token economies strongly depends upon the staff involved applying a consistent approach
  • Bassett and Blanchard (1977) found that any benefits were lost if staff applied techniques incorrectly, and this was due to factors like lack of appropriate staff training or high staff turnover
  • Suggests behaviour modification schemes are less likely to be effective because inevitably some staff will apply techniques inconsistently
• What is another limitation of behaviour modification in custody?

  • Little rehabilitative value: Blackburn (1993) pointed out that TEP systems are only focused on changing behaviour rather than personality or cognitive processes
  • Offenders can easily 'play along' with the programme to access desired rewards but can't understand why they offend or take responsibility
  • Underlying causes are not addressed, meaning offenders are highly likely to revert to offending behaviour once outside of prison as there is no incentive for them to behave accordingly