behaviour modification

• behaviour modification


  the programmes are designed to reinforce obedient behaviour in offenders whilst punishing disobedience
• token economy


  based on operant conditioning

  in a token economy, prisoners are given a token each time they perform a desirable behaviour
• three steps when designing and using a token economy

  operationalise target behaviours

  scoring system

  training of staff
• operationalise target behaviour


  a target behaviour is operationalised by breaking it down into component parts

  the units of behaviour should be measurable and objective
• scoring system


  some behaviours deserve higher rewards than others eg. more tokens
• training staff


  the aim is to standardise the procedures so that all prison staff are rewarding the same behaviours in the same ways
• strength of behaviour modification

  it is relatively straightforward and easy to set up in custody

  token economies can be implemented by anyone in an institution
• limitation of behaviour modification

  it may not affect long term behaviour

  Blackburn - said that behaviour modification has little 'rehabilitative value' and that positive changes won't last when the prisoners get released