THE CELLBLOCK TOKEN ECONOMY: TOKEN REINFORCEMENT PROCEDURES IN A MAXIMUM SECURITY CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR ADULT MALE FELONS¹

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted (1) to explore the application of token reinforcement procedures in a maximum security correctional institution for adult male felons and (2) to determine to what extent the reinforcement procedures disrupted the day-to-day lives of inmate participants. In Experiment 1, an expanded reversal design revealed that the combination of praise and token reinforcement was more effective than the combinations of praise and noncontingent token award or direct commands on four common institutional activities. The latter two combinations were not found to be any more effective than praise alone. Experiment 2, which also employed a reversal design, indicated that the high levels of performance observed during the token reinforcement phases of Experiment 1 could be attained without subjecting participants to undue hardship in the form of increased deprivation of either social intercourse or the opportunity to engage in recreational and entertainment activities. Client safeguards are discussed in detail.DESCRIPTORS

The social control of behavior control: Behavior modification,individual rights, and research ethics in America, 1971–1979

“…Drs. Milan and McKee designed and implemented an extensive token economy system at the Draper Correctional Center in Alabama (Milan & McKee, 1976). For a description of an ambitious program in the Virginia correctional system initiated and designed by a behavior analyst, see Geller, Johnson, Hamlin, and Kennedy (1977).…”

Eliminating the Battering of Women by Men: Some Considerations for Behavior Analysis

“…In this case it was decided that the products of vandalism would be measured by means of the cost required to repair the damage that had been caused. (Mayer, Butterworth, Nafpaktitis, & Sulzer-Azaroff, 1983, p. 358) In addition to vandalism, other studies in JABA that did not measure the target behavior directly include ones involving adult (Milan & McKee, 1976) and juvenile offenders (Kirigin, Braukman, Atwater, & Wolf, 1982), abused and neglected children (Tertinger, Greene, & Lutzker, 1984), and industrial safety (Fox, Hopkins, & Anger, 1987). Target behaviors were selected that adequately reflected the problem behaviors or were products of the problem behaviors (time lost, number of injuries, dollar cost).…”

La prevención de la delincuencia: la importancia del diseño ambiental

“…Programas de Economía de Fichas: son quizá los que más se acercan a una perspectiva psicosocial en cuanto que suponen toda una reorganización ambiental. Hall (1979), Leycock (1979), Hall y Bakes (19-73), Milan et. al.…”