INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VOLUNTARY TOKEN REINFORCEMENT PROCEDURE IN CHANGING BEHAVIOR OR DIFFICULT TO MANAGE INMATES (FROM AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSN ANNUAL CONG OF CORR, 104TH - PROC, 1975 - SEE NCJ-30907)

• NCJ Number: 30920
• Author(s): S V KRUSCHWITZ
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: American Correctional Association
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

REPORT OF A STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A TOKEN REINFORCEMENT PROCEDURE IN INCREASING A VARIETY OF INMATE BEHAVIORS IN A MAXIMUM SECURITY UNIT AT A FEDERAL REFORMATORY.

Abstract

A PRELIMINARY FOLLOW-UP OF PROGRAM GRADUATES WAS MADE TO DETERMINE WHETHER INMATES COMPLETING THE PROGRAM WERE SUCCESSFUL. PARTICULAR EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM WHICH AFFORDED AS MUCH FREEDOM OF CHOICE REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN TREATMENT AS POSSIBLE. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, ACTIVITIES WERE MADE AVAILABLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT INMATES DECIDED WHETHER OR NOT TO PARTICIPATE. THIS FEATURE OF THE PROGRAM IS UNIQUE IN DEALING WITH THIS TYPE OF INMATE POPULATION, PROVIDES AN ETHICAL AND LEGAL WAY OF DEALING WITH TREATMENT ISSUES, AND OFFERS GUIDANCE FOR FUTURE PLANNING OF SIMILAR PROGRAMS. THE RESULTS SUPPORT THE PROPOSITION THAT A TREATMENT ALTERNATIVE TO DEALING WITH DIFFICULT TO MANAGE OFFENDERS IS FEASIBLE.