1. Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D.
Effective Use of Rewards & Sanctions
Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D.
National Association of Drug Court Professionals

2. Basic Terminology Punishment Positive Reinforcement Negative
SANCTION
REWARD
Punishment
Positive
Reinforcement
GIVE
Negative
Reinforcement
Response Cost
TAKE

3. Carrot and Stick Reduce undesirable behaviors and
increase desirable behaviors
Positive vs. negative
reinforcement

4. Certainty Reliable detection is most influential
Random drug testing twice per week, including weekends & holidays
Sufficient detection windows & panels
Community supervision
Last supervisory burdens
to be lifted
Second chances

5. Celerity Timing is second most influential
Interference from new behaviors
Status hearings every 2 weeks until
the case has stabilized
Noncompliance hearings
where indicated

6. Magnitude EFFECTIVENESS MAGNITUDE OF SANCTION Habituation Effects
Zone
Ceiling
Effects
EFFECTIVENESS
SEVERE
MINIMAL
MODERATE
MAGNITUDE OF SANCTION

7. Incentive & Sanction Lists

8. Procedural Fairness Clearly communicated policies and procedures
Presumptive consequences
with flexible application
Opportunity to be heard
Respect and dignity

9. Target Behaviors Don’t expect too much Don’t expect too little
Learned helplessness and ratio burden
Don’t expect too little
Habituation
Proximal vs. distal goals
Phase specificity
What was once distal becomes
proximal

10. Treat or Punish?
Substance Dependence or Addiction

11. Treat or Punish? Substance Dependence or Addiction
Triggered binge pattern
Cravings or compulsions
Withdrawal symptoms

12. Abstinence is a distal goal
Treat or Punish?
Substance Dependence or Addiction
Triggered binge pattern
Cravings or compulsions
Withdrawal symptoms
Abstinence is a distal goal }

13. Abstinence is a distal goal
Treat or Punish?
Substance Dependence or Addiction
Triggered binge pattern
Cravings or compulsions
Withdrawal symptoms
Substance Abuse
Abstinence is a distal goal }

14. Abstinence is a distal goal Abstinence is a proximal goal
Treat or Punish?
Substance Dependence or Addiction
Triggered binge pattern
Cravings or compulsions
Withdrawal symptoms
Substance Abuse
Abstinence is a distal goal
Abstinence is a proximal goal } }

15. Abstinence is a distal goal Abstinence is a proximal goal
Treat or Punish?
Substance Dependence or Addiction
Triggered binge pattern
Cravings or compulsions
Withdrawal symptoms
Substance Abuse
Collateral needs
Dual diagnosis
Chronic medical condition (e.g., HIV+, HCV, diabetes)
Homelessness, chronic unemployment
Abstinence is a distal goal
Abstinence is a proximal goal } }

16. } } } Treat or Punish? Collateral needs
Substance Dependence or Addiction
Triggered binge pattern
Cravings or compulsions
Withdrawal symptoms
Substance Abuse
Collateral needs
Dual diagnosis
Chronic medical condition (e.g., HIV+, HCV, diabetes)
Homelessness, chronic unemployment
Abstinence is a distal goal
Abstinence is a proximal goal }
Regimen compliance is proximal } }

17. Tangible Rewards
Most important for reinforcement- starved participants
Fishbowl procedure or point systems
Symbolic rewards

18. Phase Regression An example of response cost
Often a sign that services were withdrawn prematurely
Temporary regression and remedial plan (accelerated redemption)
Avoid the Abstinence Violation Effect (A.V.E.)

19. Readings
Burdon WM et al (2001). Drug courts and contingency management. Journal of Drug Issues, 31,
Harrell A & Roman J (2001). Reducing drug use and crime among offenders: The impact of graduated sanctions. Journal of Drug Issues, 31,
Marlowe DB (2007). Strategies for administering rewards and sanctions. In JE Lessenger & GF Roper (Eds.), Drug courts: A new approach to treatment and rehabilitation (pp ). New York: Springer.
Marlowe DB (2008). Application of sanctions. In Drug Court Quality Improvement Monograph. Alexandria, VA: NDCI.
Marlowe DB & Wong CJ (2008). Contingency management in adult criminal drug courts (pp ). In ST Higgins, K Silverman & SH Heil (Eds.), Contingency management in substance abuse treatment. New York: Guilford.
Marlowe DB (2011). Applying incentives and sanctions. In The drug court judicial benchbook (pp ). Alexandria, VA: NDCI.