dealing with offending

behaviour modification

  • designed with the aim of reinforcing obedient behaviour in offenders and punishing disobedience

token economy

  • based on operant conditioning

  • tokens are given for each desirable behaviour that is performed

  • non-compliance results in tokens being withheld/removed (punishment)

  • tokens are secondary reinforcers → exchanged for primary reinforcers

designing and using token economy

  • operationalise target behaviours (they are objective, measurable, agreed upon)

  • scoring system (hierarchy of desired behaviours because some may be more desired than others - different rewards)

  • train staff (to successfully implement tokens → standardise the procedures so all are completing it the same)

custodial sentencing

aims

  • deterrence

  • incapacitation

  • retribution

  • rehabilitation

psychological effects

  • stress and depression (suicide rates)

  • institutionalisation

  • prisonisation (‘inmate code’)

problems of recidivism

  • recidivism = reoffending

  • rates tell us to what extent it acts as a deterrent

  • difficult to obtain clear figures - some record within a year and others longer

  • US, Australia, Denmark = 60% rate

  • Norway = 20% rate (more emphasis on rehabilitation and skills development)

anger management

CBT

  • Novaco: cognitive factors trigger aggressive acts (they are quick to surface especially in situations perceived as anxiety-inducing/ threatening)

  • behaviourism: anger in reinforced by the individual’s feelings of control over a situation

  • anger management is a form of CBT (the individual recognises cognitions then develops techniques to deal with them)

3 stages

1) cognitive preparation

  • offender reflects on past situations and potential anger patterns

  • they learn to identify triggers and question them (are they rational?)

2) skill acquisition

  • offender is introduced to skills that help deal with situation

  • cognitive: positive self-talk

  • behavioural: assertiveness training in effective communication

  • physiological: relaxation training or meditation

3) application practice

  • role play of situation with therapist to practice skills in controlled environment

  • successful behaviour is given positive reinforcement

positive outcome

  • Keen studied the outcome of anger management on youth offenders

  • 7 2 hour sessions within 3 weeks and another a month later

  • initial issues with offenders not taking course seriously

  • final outcomes were positive - increased awareness of anger management difficulties and increased capacity to exercise self-control

restorative justice programmes

changing the emphasis

  • needs of state to punish → needs of individual to come to terms with crime and feel compensated

  • acts as a healing process (reparation)

  • focuses on: victim (their recovery) and offender (their recovery/rehabilitation)

key features

  • trained mediator supervising

  • non-courtroom setting (offenders voluntarily meet victim)

  • face to face or remote meeting

  • survivor given opportunity to confront offender → explain how crime affected them (reinstates consequences)

  • active involvement of all parties

  • focus on positive outcomes for offender and victim

  • other relevant community members may also contribute to explanation of crime’s effects

sentencing and restitution

  • may occur pre-trail

  • can be alongside prison (may reduce sentence) or used as an alternative

  • offender may give financial restitution for mental or physical damages

  • may also give emotional restitution by helping victim in healing process

restorative justice council

  • establishes clear standards for the use of RJ

  • supports survivors and professionals working in the field

  • RJ may also be used for non-offending situations (e.g. school, workplace, communities, etc)