Staff Consistency of the Implementation of a Token Economy in a Juvenile Detention Center

Abstract

Approximately 318,000 juveniles are admitted to juvenile detention facilities each year. The future of these juveniles may be greatly influences by staff behavior. The purpose of this research was to develop a consistent method of implementation of a token economy in a Juvenile Detention Center (JDC). Five Juvenile Correctional Officers (JCOs) participated in the study. The primary researcher recorded data in vivo. The JDC administrative staff previously had developed a token system with monetary ranges for fines and points that were to be given to the youth by the JCOs. The primary researcher observed the JCOs’ administration of the token system and scored each JCO’s administration as “within range,” “out of range,” or “unspecified” as determined by the pre-established monetary ranges. To further improve staff consistency and ease of implementation, the primary researcher and the JDC administrative staff developed new guidelines featuring more uniform monetary ranges; these guidelines were given to all JCOs. A token economy manual was then given to JCOs using a multiple baseline across participants design. Results indicated the intervention may have simplified the token economy program leading some participants to improve in consistency; however, some participants showed little, if any, change.