Alaska Adult Boot Camp Planning Project Final

• NCJ Number: 174138
• Author(s): J Shriner
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 5 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
• Corporate Author: Alaska Dept of Corrections
• Sale Source: Alaska Dept of Corrections; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report describes the procedures and outcomes of a feasibility and planning study regarding the use of adult boot camps in Alaska.

Abstract

The planning process focused on the suitability of the target population, selection criteria, and the specifics of program operation. Based on computer screening of more than 300 offenders with suitable age and committing offenses, the planning team projected approximately 100 eligible inmates. Extrapolating from the experience of other programs, the planning team expected that after seeking only volunteers and then eliminating more participants for reasons of health and lack of motivation, there would be close to the 50 participants needed for each of two boot camps per year. The committee concluded that the most productive approach regarding selection criteria is to establish guiding principles and programmatic approaches to a boot camp, but to stop short of developing the program in operational detail. The consensus decision was an agreement on certain principles and objectives that could guide the boot camp concept. One principle is that the boot camp's operation must result in a net reduction in incarcerated prisoners. A second principle is that when considered over the period of incarceration, parole, and probation, the cost per offender cannot exceed the current practice. A third principle is that the risk to the public cannot be increased. The committee concluded that by using these guiding principles and allowing considerable operational freedom, a selection criteria capable of supporting a program is feasible. Programmatically, certain elements gained consensus: priority to staff selection and training; the importance of aftercare; the use of cognitive or rational therapy; an emphasis on work, community service, and responsibility; and enabling legislation to provide program stability. The committee concluded that given proper program design and staffing, a boot camp can be operated to provide equal or greater security for the community and at a lower cost than incarceration.