Token Economy Programs in Closed Institutions

Abstract

The majority of the behavioral programs conducted in closed institutions for delinquent youth and adult offenders have involved the use of basic procedures to achieve circumscribed goals, as exemplified in the literature reviewed in the previous chapter. Because of the limited scope of those efforts, they cannot be considered true rehabilitation programs nor evaluated as such. Nevertheless, much of that work suggests ways in which rehabilitative goals may be achieved in more comprehensive programs. This chapter will review token economies (Ayllon & Azrin, 1968; Kazdin, 1977) that serve as models of how more comprehensive behavioral programs may be designed and operated within the institution to achieve meaningful rehabilitation and management goals while fostering a humane environment. The chapter will first describe token economies conducted in closed institutions for delinquent youths and adult offenders. It will then examine inmate reactions to token economy programs and the results of follow-up studies of the postrelease effects of such programs. The chapter will conclude with a consideration of barriers to the operation of behavioral programs and a discussion of the legal and professional acceptability of such programs.