NCJ Number
165604
Date Published
1996
Length
23 pages
Annotation
There is widespread consensus that correctional boot camps without a well-developed and integrated aftercare component are doomed to fail; despite this common belief which tends to be supported by empirical research, very few correctional boot camps have a meaningful aftercare component.
Abstract
Boot camps tend to be very short in duration, with most programs ranging from 3 to 6 months. For many, it is inconceivable that programs of such length can have a lasting impact on young offenders who have multiple needs and must return to homes and environments that do not provide care, support, nurture, or safety. In demanding aftercare programming, others have focused on how the military model has been incorporated in boot camps. Most contemporary boot camps feature a process of individual reshaping that is much more limited than that found in the military. Evaluative research on boot camps shows that aftercare components are necessary ingredients in reducing recidivism. Support for the benefits of strong aftercare programming comes from research on drug treatment, intensive community supervision, and juvenile corrections. The common denominator in boot camp aftercare appears to involve the use of community supervision through probation or parole officers. Special aftercare programming tends to focus on treatment and rehabilitation. Examples of strong aftercare program models are cited, and recommendations on the establishment of effective boot camp aftercare programs are offered. 25 references and 2 tables