NCJ Number
147012
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1991) Pages: 1,6-8,10
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article evaluates boot camps as a sentencing alternative for young nonviolent first offenders.
Abstract
Boot camp prisons have been established in 27 U.S. systems. The regimen is similar in all of them: day begins at 4 or 5 o'clock; drills, push-ups and obstacle courses; insistent Drill Instructors in constant persuasion; harsh, summary discipline for minor infractions; rigid dress code; inspected living quarters; limited or no TV; Taps at 9 or 10 pm. Almost all require some drug treatment, education, and psychological counseling; some place the greatest emphasis on heavy physical training and discipline. One of the most crucial aspects of the programs--follow-up support in the community--varies considerably from one system to another. Shock camp programs are designed primarily for young, nonviolent offenders, 17 to 26 years of age, who have never been incarcerated. Certain categories of prisoners - child abusers, sex offenders, and murderers - are usually ineligible. For most of these programs, it is too early to know their long-term effect on recidivism, but early studies indicate that they provide as much or more deterrence in a short time as a longer time in prison does for similar offenders.