Fairer prisoner incentives to encourage rehabilitation
Thursday, 11 July 2019 14:27
Evidence shows incentives more effective at improving behaviour
More flexibility for Governors to meet local challenges Latest
measure to drive offender rehabilitation The new Incentives Policy
Framework will provide overall consistency while giving Governors
greater flexibility to tailor programmes that address the specific
situation in their prison....Request free trial
- Evidence shows incentives more effective at improving
behaviour
- More flexibility for Governors to meet local
challenges
- Latest measure to drive offender rehabilitation
The new Incentives Policy Framework will provide overall
consistency while giving Governors greater flexibility to
tailor programmes that address the specific situation in
their prison.
Among the new initiatives is the removal of the low ‘entry’
level of privileges which was felt to effectively punish
new prisoners and create an adversarial relationship with
staff from the outset.
The revised scheme has been developed following
consultation with prison Governors and other stakeholders.
It is built on evidence that
shows positive reinforcement is much more
effective at shaping behaviour than punishment, while also
encouraging lasting behavioural change and rehabilitation.
For those who don’t follow the rules or engage, however, a
strict system of adjudications ensures that Governors are
able to act swiftly. Punishments range from the removal of
privileges to harsher measures such as prosecution and
additional prison time.
Justice Secretary said:
This new framework gives Governors the tools to set clear
behavioural standards for prisoners – enhancing their
ability to maintain stability while steering offenders
away from a life of crime.
Under the changes being introduced, the new system also:
- Retains the three privilege levels: basic, standard and
enhanced, but removes ‘entry level’, which Governors say is
bureaucratic and penalises prisoners who are new - setting
up an adversarial relationship with staff from the outset
- Emphasises that staff should consistently use verbal
reinforcement for good behaviour and challenge poor
behaviour outside formal reviews
- Requires Governors to immediately review prisoner
incentives after single serious incidents of bad behaviour
with a strong presumption that such incidents lead to
downgrade
- Gives Governors the freedom to increase the amount of
time out of cell for recreational activities or exercise
alongside education and work programmes
- Prisoners that behave well and engage in meaningful
activities such as education and employment programmes
could receive privileges such as more time in the gym or
additional visits
- Establishes local ‘incentive forums’ – comprised of
staff and prisoners – to review the fairness and
effectiveness of the policy locally, delivering on
recommendation 24 of the Lammy Review
- Will retain sensible limitations on Governors’
freedoms, so that, for example, no paid-for TV channels or
other inappropriate incentives are permitted.
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