NCJ Number
37119
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: (1976) Pages: 42-44
Date Published
1976
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY ATTEMPTED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE RETURN OF LOST STATUTORY REMISSION (GOOD TIME) MAY FUNCTION AS A REINFORCER IN FACILITATING DESIRED BEHAVIOR CHANGE.
Abstract
IN CANADIAN FEDERAL PENITENTIARIES, INMATES CAN REGAIN LOST STATUTORY REMISSION IF NO FURTHER INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR IS RECORDED OVER A PERIOD OF AT LEAST ONE YEAR. HOWEVER, MANY INMATES, BECAUSE OF THEIR HABITUAL INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, CANNOT REGAIN THESE BENEFITS. THE STUDY SAMPLE CONSISTED OF 16 INMATES AT JOYCEVILLE INSTITUTION WHO HAD LOST AT LEAST 30 DAYS OF GOOD TIME AND WHO HAD A MARKED FREQUENCY OF THE TARGET BEHAVIORS - ILLICIT DRUG USE OR VIOLENCE. EACH 24 HOUR PERIOD OF ABSTINENCE FROM DRUGS OR FREE OF CHARGES WAS REINFORCED BY A RETURN OF ONE-THIRD OF A DAY OF LOST REMISSION UP TO A TOTAL OF 30 DAYS. FAILURES RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ALL EARNINGS ACCRUED DURING THAT PARTICULAR 30 DAY INTERVAL, HOWEVER, THESE INTERVALS COULD BE REINITIATED. REDUCTIONS IN BOTH TARGETED BEHAVIORS WERE STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT REWARD SCHEDULES EMPLOYED IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS FOR INCARCERATED OFFENDERS CAN BE MODIFIED TO FUNCTION AS EFFECTIVE REINFORCING SYSTEMS.