II. Delivering Incentives: Guidelines

Certain:

While it is not possible for staff to know every time an offender violates his terms of release or every time the offender complies, staff should administer a response for each and every act that is detected. Offenders need to know that when they break the rules there will be consequences, and these consequences must be specific and spelled out in advance (e.g., the behavioral contract.) This certainty helps build a sense of responsibility in offenders, and lets them know that the criminal justice system is serious about compliance, both for their own safety and health as well as the public's. Compliance should be rewarded with certainty as well, to reinforce the offender's abilities.