BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AND CORRECTIONS - AN ANALYSIS (FROM READINGS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1978-1979 - ANNUAL EDITIONS, BY DONAL E J MACNAMARA - SEE NCJ-47702)

• NCJ Number: 47725
• Author(s): T M ALONZO; M C BRASWELL
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Dushkin/McGraw Hill Publishing Group, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT FROM L A E JOURNAL, V 40, N 1 (MARCH 1977)

Annotation

THE APPLICATION OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES IN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR INMATES IS EXAMINED, AND CONCLUSIONS ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION OF BEHAVIORAL PROGRAMS ARE DRAWN.

Abstract

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORRECTIONAL PHILOSOPHY IS TRACED, AND THE ROLE OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IS DISCUSSED. THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE MORAL, ETHICAL, AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF BEHAVIORAL APPROACHES IN CONTROLLING AND TREATING OFFENDERS IS NOTED. SEVERAL BEHAVIORAL TECHNIQUES -- CONTRACT COUNSELING, TOKEN ECONOMIES, MODELING -- AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN CORRECTIONAL SETTINGS ARE DESCRIBED BRIEFLY. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF BEHAVIORAL APPROACHES IN CORRECTIONS REQUIRES BETTER TRAINING FOR CORRECTIONAL STAFF, GREATER USE OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE, AND A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TREATMENT INNOVATIONS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT CRITICS OF TREATMENT INNOVATIONS SOMETIMES FAIL TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH THE INNOVATIONS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED. IT IS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, WITHOUT EFFECTIVE AFTERCARE PROGRAMS, IT MAY BE INAPPROPRIATE TO EVALUATE INSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS ON THE BASIS OF PARTICIPANTS' BEHAVIOR AFTER THEY LEAVE THE INSTITUTION. (LKM)