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Prison as Punishment: A Behavior-Analytic Evaluation of Incarceration
Alexis B Apel1,2, James W Diller1
11Department of Psychology, Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT 06226 USA.
The Behavior Analyst
|January 25, 2020
Summary
Over 70% of incarcerated individuals in the USA are rearrested within three years, indicating prison
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Behavior Analysis
- Punishment Theory
Background:
- The United States incarcerates over 2.2 million individuals.
- Approximately 70% of released individuals face rearrest within three years.
- Current incarceration practices lack empirical support as an effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review criminological data on incarceration.
- To evaluate imprisonment components using behavior-analytic research on punishment.
- To explore the application of behavior analysis to reduce recidivism.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing criminological data.
- Evaluation of incarceration elements through the lens of behavior-analytic principles.
- Analysis of punishment variables such as intensity and immediacy.
Main Results:
- Incarceration as a large-scale intervention lacks demonstrated effectiveness.
- Key factors influencing punishment effectiveness include learning history and punisher characteristics.
- Behavior-analytic principles offer a framework for understanding and potentially improving correctional outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The high rearrest rate suggests current correctional strategies are ineffective.
- Behavior analysts can contribute to addressing significant social issues like recidivism.
- Further research and collaboration are needed to apply behavior-analytic principles to criminal justice reform.
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