NCJ Number
125127
Journal
State Peace Officers Journal Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1990) Pages: 78-79
Date Published
1990
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This overview of shock incarceration (SI) programs discusses principles and goals, the selection of program participants, staff selection, voluntary entry and dropout, re-entry into the community, and research and evaluation.
Abstract
SI programs involve a short (usually less than 6 months) period of confinement in a military-style "boot camp." Offenders are usually first-time, nonviolent, youthful offenders who would normally be sent to prison. SI emphasizes military training and bearing, physical and mental discipline, and prosocial activities. SI goals are to help reduce prison crowding and provide a rehabilitative and deterrent influence on participants. Because of the intense interaction between staff and offenders, staff should be monitored for signs of burnout and abusive tendencies. High staff turnover will require frequent and thorough staff training. The majority of SI programs use some type of moderate to intensive supervision in the community following completion of the program. Currently there is an ongoing evaluation of the SI program in Louisiana and a nationwide comparative evaluation funded by the National Institute of Justice. Preliminary results from the Louisiana study indicate that offenders volunteering to participate in SI and remaining in the program may be more amenable to change. Overall, preliminary studies of SI programs are showing mixed results.