Functional Behavior Analysis can be described as being able to find the cause of certain behavior before looking for solutions to solve the problem. This means looking for the real description of certain behavior and its implications to understand the behavior and its causes. A functional behavior analysis entails the use of scientific methods and procedures to examine as well as determine the behavior of an individual. (Bassett & Blanchard 378) Functional behavior analyses are essential and are required within prison settings especially with those inmates with severe maladaptive behaviors. The applied functional behavior analysis is used to check for any behavior that might need some modification. (Baer, Wolf, & Risley 318)
Applying functional behavior analysis within a prison setting is a good way of building constructive and effective prison environments for the inmates and other prison staff. In functional behavior analysis, measures are put in place to effectively access prisoner behavior individually. (Lovell, et al 69) The inmates that successfully complete the required program and avoid any form of inappropriate activities by following the rules put in place are allowed to leave the program.
The behavior of the inmates is keenly observed with the prison staff recording the data to see if there is any problematic behavior being portrayed. (Rice 27) Those prisoners that portray positive behavior are rewarded with for example being allowed more visitors, given some personal belongings, and also they are allowed to leave the unit upon completion. (Balcaza, Hopkins, & Suarez 68)
A recent study conducted shows that functional behavior analysis has positive results with a decrease of inappropriate behavior and positively transforming overall how the inmates conduct themselves. Prisoners can discover reasons to prefer positive behavior rather than misconduct for them to be able to lead better and successful lives in the world to which they will return. This can only be achieved by taking on constructive action. Once in the program, the prisoners engage well and accept the treatments that are provided by staying away from behaviors that may land them into problems. (O’Connor, Lovell & Brown 240)
However, for some inmates, the program is not able to help them. In most cases, they go ahead and engage in activities that land them in prison once more. These inmates rebel and the programs are not able to help them in any way. (Baer, Wolf, & Risley 318) Mental health providers may not be able to help these inmates who exhibit behaviors that include harassing others. Some of the behaviors are dangerous and sometimes fatal because most of them are not caused by mental illnesses and henceforth inmates resist all forms of therapy. (Webb 74) These inmates are left in the hands of prison security staff that in most cases do not have any form of training to deal with any extreme behavior.
In a prison setting, negative punishment such as denying privileges or personal items is in most cases used as a way of managing prisoners’ behavior while in prison. Behavior analysts however insist that building constructive behavior can be achieved by limiting the reliance on negative punishment to manage inmate’s behavior. These negative punishments such as the removal of inmates’ personal items could lead them to be more violent. Applying functional behavior in prison settings is very beneficial to most inmates to help them lead better lives. Most of these inmates change their behavior and become better people in preparation for life after prison when they return to society.
Works Cited
Baer, D., Wolf, M., & Risley, R. ‘’some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis’’. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (1968): 1, 91 – 97.
Baer, D., Wolf, M., & Risley, R.’’Some still-current dimensions of applied behavior analysis’’. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (1987): 20, 313 – 327.
Balcazar F., Hopkins, B. L., & Suarez, Y. ‘’A critical objective review of performance feedback’’. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management (1986):1.1, 65-89.
Bassett, J. E., & Blanchard, E. B. “The effect of the absence of close supervision on the use of response cost in a prison token economy”. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (1977): 10, 375-380.
Lovell D, Cloyes KG, Allen DG, Rhodes LA. ‘’Who lives in super-maximum security custody? A Washington State study’’. Federal Probation (2000): 64:2, 33–38.
O’Connor R, Lovell D, Brown L.’’Implementing residential treatment for prison prisoners with mental illness’’. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing (2002): 16:5,232–238.
Rice, J.M. ‘’A behavioral perspective’’. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling (1985): 16.3, 26-29.
Webb. ‘’Building Constructive Prison Environments: The Functional Utility of Applying Behavior Analysis in Prisons’’. The Behavior Analyst Today (2003): 4.1, 71-79.