Dealing with Offending Behaviour: An Overview
In this final part of the Forensic Psychology chapter, we look at what happens after a person has been convicted of a crime. We explore why we send people to prison, the psychological impact that has on them, and alternative ways to change their behaviour, such as Anger Management and Restorative Justice. This section is all about whether these methods actually stop people from re-offending (recidivism) or if they make things worse.
1. Custodial Sentencing
Custodial sentencing involves a convicted offender spending time in a prison or another closed institution (like a young offender institute). There are four main reasons—or aims—for doing this.
The Four Aims of Custodial Sentencing
1. Deterrence: The unpleasant experience of prison is designed to put people off committing crimes. General deterrence aims to send a message to society that "crime doesn't pay," while individual deterrence aims to stop that specific person from doing it again.
2. Incapacitation: This is about protecting the public. By taking the offender out of society, they physically cannot commit more crimes (at least against the general public).
3. Retribution: This is the idea of "an eye for an eye." Society is getting its own back by making the offender suffer a loss of freedom equivalent to the seriousness of their crime.
4. Rehabilitation: This is the more positive aim. The goal is to provide the offender with opportunities to develop skills, get an education, or receive treatment so they can lead a crime-free life when they are released.
Psychological Effects of Custodial Sentencing
Prison isn't just a "time-out"; it has deep psychological impacts on the people inside:
- Stress and Depression: Suicide rates and self-harm rates are much higher in prison than in the general population. The loss of freedom and safety can lead to severe mental health issues.
- Institutionalisation: This happens when prisoners become so used to the norms and routines of prison life that they can no longer function in the outside world. All their decisions are made for them, so they lose the ability to live independently.
- Prisonisation: This refers to the "inmate code." Prisoners learn that to survive, they must adopt certain behaviours that are acceptable inside prison but very problematic outside (e.g., aggression or total distrust of authority).
The Problem of Recidivism
Recidivism is the term for re-offending. Statistics show that a large percentage of people released from prison commit another crime within a year. This suggests that for many, prison fails as a form of deterrence or rehabilitation.
Quick Review: Remember the four aims using the acronym "RIDR" (Retribution, Incapacitation, Deterrence, Rehabilitation). Which aim do you think is the most important for society?
2. Behaviour Modification in Custody
One way to deal with offending behaviour inside prison is Behaviour Modification. This is based on the Behaviourist Approach (specifically Operant Conditioning), which suggests that all behaviour is learned and can be unlearned.
Token Economies
The most common form of behaviour modification in prisons is the Token Economy. Here is how it works:
- Desired Behaviours: Prison staff identify specific "good" behaviours, such as keeping a cell tidy or being polite to guards.
- Tokens (Secondary Reinforcers): When a prisoner shows these behaviours, they are given a token (like a plastic chip or a point on a chart). These tokens have no value on their own.
- Rewards (Primary Reinforcers): The tokens can later be swapped for "primary reinforcers"—things the prisoner actually wants, like extra phone calls, cigarettes, or gym time.
Key Rule: For this to work, the "good" behaviour must be broken down into small, clear steps, and the rewards must be given immediately after the behaviour occurs.
Key Takeaway: Behaviour modification is easy to set up and doesn't require specialists. However, a major criticism is that it only changes surface behaviour. Once the prisoner leaves and the tokens stop, they may go back to their old ways because the underlying cause of their crime hasn't been fixed.
3. Anger Management
Unlike behaviour modification, Anger Management is a Cognitive approach. It assumes that offending is often caused by hostile attribution bias (thinking other people are being aggressive when they aren't) and a lack of emotional control.
The Three Stages of Anger Management
1. Cognitive Preparation: The offender works with a therapist to look at their past. They identify the "triggers" that make them angry and learn to see that their interpretation of events might be irrational.
2. Skill Acquisition: The offender is taught techniques to deal with anger. These can be cognitive (positive self-talk), behavioural (assertiveness training), or physiological (relaxation techniques or deep breathing).
3. Application Practice: The offender practises these skills in a safe environment through role-play. The therapist might act out a situation that would usually make the offender angry to see if they can use their new skills to stay calm.
Comparison: While behaviour modification is about external rewards, anger management is about internal self-change. This makes it more likely to have a long-term effect after the offender is released.
4. Restorative Justice Programmes
Restorative Justice moves the focus away from "punishing the offender" and toward "healing the victim." It views crime as a wound to the community rather than just a law being broken.
How it Works
The process usually involves a supervised meeting between the offender and the victim (often called the survivor).
- The victim explains the impact the crime had on their life (the physical, emotional, and financial hurt).
- The offender is held accountable and has to see the human consequences of their actions.
- They might agree on a way for the offender to make amends (e.g., paying for damages or doing community work).
Why use it?
- For the Victim: It gives them a voice and helps them feel less like a powerless victim.
- For the Offender: It requires them to take active responsibility. It’s much harder to face a victim than it is to sit in a prison cell.
- For Society: Research suggests restorative justice can reduce recidivism rates and is often more cost-effective than prison.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume Restorative Justice is a "soft option." Many offenders find it incredibly difficult and emotional to face the people they have harmed.
Summary Table: Comparing Methods
Method: Custodial Sentencing
Focus: Punishment and public safety.
Pros: Protects the public; provides retribution.
Cons: High costs; high re-offending rates; negative psychological effects.
Method: Behaviour Modification
Focus: Rewarding good behaviour in prison.
Pros: Easy to implement; improves prison safety.
Cons: Temporary change; doesn't address the cause of the crime.
Method: Anger Management
Focus: Changing how the offender thinks and reacts.
Pros: Addresses the root cause; teaches life skills.
Cons: Requires highly trained therapists; offender must be motivated to change.
Method: Restorative Justice
Focus: Repairing the harm caused to the victim.
Pros: High victim satisfaction; reduces re-offending.
Cons: Requires both parties to agree to meet; can be difficult for victims.
Don't worry if these different methods seem a lot to take in. Just remember that they each come from a different psychological perspective: Behaviourist (Tokens), Cognitive (Anger Management), or Social/Humanistic (Restorative Justice). Knowing the "why" behind each one makes the "how" much easier to remember!