NCJ Number
16947
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 33-38
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN THE ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A TOKEN ECONOMY IN A MAXIMUM-SECURITY PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, WITH AN ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS WHICH EVENTUALLY LEAD TO ITS FAILURE.
Abstract
THE PHYSICAL SETTING OF THIS PROGRAM AT THE ATASCADERO STATE HOSPITAL IN CALIFORNIA AND THE TYPE OF PATIENT SERVED AT THE HOSPITAL ARE FIRST DESCRIBED. THE OLD TREATMENT PROGRAM CONSISTED OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC AND OTHER MEDICATIONS, INDUSTRIAL THERAPY, AND GROUP THERAPY. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES OF THE OLD TREATMENT PROGRAM ARE DESCRIBED AS WELL. THE TOKEN ECONOMY PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE GOOD WORK HABITS, GOOD PERSONAL HYGIENE, AND PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR BEHAVIOR THROUGH CONSISTENT POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT IN THE FORM OF TOKENS. THE FAILURE OF THIS PROGRAM WAS ATTRIBUTED TO SEVERAL FACTORS. RESTRICTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF THE HOSPITAL FACILITY, A HETEROGENEOUS SELECTION OF PATIENTS TO BE TREATED, INCONSISTENT COOPERATION OF THE STAFF, AND DISINTEREST ON THE PART OF PATIENT STAFF WERE AMONG THOSE DISCUSSED. THE AUTHOR ALSO LISTS SEVERAL CONDITIONS WHICH COULD HAVE AIDED IN PROJECT SUCCESS. AMONG THESE ARE RESTRICTION OF THE PROGRAM TO CHRONIC, INACTIVE PATIENTS, COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE DISPOSITION OF THE PATIENTS ASSIGNED TO THE PROGRAM, AND A TRAINED STAFF OF CIVILIAN AND PATIENT PARAPROFESSIONALS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)