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13 How. J. Penology & Crime Prevention 3 (1970-1973)

handle is hein.journals/hjcj13 and id is 1 raw text is: EDITORIAL This issue contains two descriptions of pioneer projects in the treatment of offenders. Dr. Sluga's article is important not only because it describes a particular treatment method-a form of psychodrama so far untried in prisons -but because it suggests a constructive way of dealing with long-term, unstable, highly institutionalised offenders. Mittersteig prison in Vienna is a small prison, .with all the possibillties of individual attention and reduction of dangerous tensions which a small unit facilitates. That in itself is worth while. Prisoners also have a wide range of facilities at their disposal and can obtain all kinds of food (grapes were in evidence in some of the cells). The facilities provide a challenge; but, together with the variety of food, they are also a symbol of caring. The psychodrama helps to express inner or outer conflict. What charac- terises Mittersteig is what characterises Grendon-open communication is encouraged. Mr. Karacki and Dr. Levinson describe the use of rewards as a way of influencing behaviour and reinforcing social learning. Traditionally, penal institutions have had few rewards to offer and have leant rather heavily on punishments-loss of remission, solitary confinement, even the withholding of food, a strikingly primitive measure. In this country, Coldingley prison offers, for the first time, earnings which are worth having as an incentive. But this reward applies entirely to work and not to the encouragement of other behaviour which might be desirable and which might require just as much effort. Praise and recognition, if it is genuinely given for some worthwhile effort, should have an important place in institutional treatment. Alas, it is seldom deliberately considered and woven into the regime. The other interesting feature of the token economy at the Robert F. Kennedy Youth Centre is the differential classification. Young offenders are tested and divided according to personality types. It is recognised that what comes easily to one person may be difficult for another. And this is recognised so that rewards are proportionate to the individual's own capacity. Dr. Edwards might well call the system of operant conditioning used at the Youth Centre brainwashing. As an analyst, his philosophy and his techniques are entirely different. This emerges clearly from his article on masochism. The forcing of a child, the use of force in society, the force of the pressure of a rapidly expanding population-all are disastrous. The masochistic character structure which he paints so well is marked in many offenders. 'Growth to Freedom', the title of Derek Millers' well-known book on borstal boys, des- cribes what they most need and what they can seldom get or achieve. 3

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