NCJ Number
50754
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 58 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING/SUMMER 1978) Pages: 37-46
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
PRINCIPLES OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AND THEIR APPLICATION IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ARE EXAMINED, AND GUIDELINES FOR DESIGNING MORE EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED.
Abstract
THE TASK OF REHABILITATION IS TO REFORM OFFENDERS BY DEVELOPING IN THEM THE SKILLS AND DISPOSITIONS NECESSARY TO ENABLE PERSONS TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SOCIAL PRACTICES OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. REHABILITATED OFFENDERS MUST BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE A CLASS OF ACTIONS AS CHARACTERISTIC OF A SPECIFIC PRACTICE; BE CAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING, AT LEAST IN AN INTUITIVE WAY, THE MEANING AND CONTENT OF THE PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE AND THEIR APPLICATION TO PARTICULAR INSTITUTIONS, AND TO BE ABLE TO TO RECOGNIZE AS RELEVANT THE FEATURES OF A SITUATION THAT MAKE CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIFIC ACT APPROPRIATE. REHABILITATED OFFENDERS ARE PERSONS WHO HAVE BECOME ADEPT IN REASONING ABOUT HOW THEY CAN ACT AND, AT THE SAME TIME, WHO SHOW RESPECT FOR OTHERS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS DIFFICULTIES ASSOCIATED WITH TEACHING OFFENDERS TO BE MORE RATIONAL IN THEIR BEHAVIOR TOWARD OTHERS. IF THE REASONING ABILITY OF INMATES IS TO BE DEVELOPED IN THE PROCESS OF REHABILITATION, THE FOLLOWING POLICIES SHOULD BE ADOPTED AND IMPLEMENTED: (1) A PROGRAM OF EDUCATION, FOCUSING ON DEVELOPING SKILLS OF RATIOCINATION, WILL BE INITIATED; (2) THE CONCEPT OF PUNISHMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PRISON DISCIPLINE SHOULD BE MADE EXPLICIT; AND (3) INMATES WILL BE PROVIDED WITH VOCATIONAL TRAINING. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)