One of the biggest challenges faced by the newly released prisoner is to avoid slipping back into old habits and being returned to jail. The traditional approach is to threaten punishment when behavior isn’t up to par. Parole officers typically monitor for new arrests, check urine for drugs and document attempts to get employment. This way of doing things is called negative reinforcement – punishment follows a mistake.
The program in question tries a different method – using positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviors. Sometimes referred to as, “catching people doing the right things,” the program was run through the Rhode Island Hospital.
The essential part was allowing ex-offenders to document and receive credit for behaviors that are considered positive, everything from avoiding drug-using peers to seeking employment or improving family relationships. Some parameters were set by counselors to meet specific needs, while others were used with all participants.
The program has shown success when used with “non-hard drugs,” primarily marijuana. It is much less effective for those who use stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine) or opiates (heroin, oxycodone). The reason is thought to be how a reward program functions. Unlike the immediate gratification that comes from an impulsive drug use, the reward in the behavior management program is displaced in time. According to one of the program principals, "The everyday reinforcers of daily life such as a good job and good family life can't compete – they are delayed and not guaranteed."
Still, any step forward is a step in the right direction. And there is no shortage of prisoners being released whose offence is either primarily marijuana or marijuana linked with other crimes. In an atmosphere where prison populations are extremely high, any and all solutions to avoid re-incarceration deserve a good look. The results here demonstrate that a more nuanced approach is probably warranted. What worked with marijuana didn’t work for other drugs.
