NCJ Number
166714
Journal
American Jails Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (July/August 1996) Pages: 42-46,49
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Based on a literature review, this study assesses the effectiveness of boot camps and draws lessons for the development of correctional programming.
Abstract
The literature regarding boot camps is rife with mixed assessments about their overall effectiveness, although the majority of the evidence shows that boot camps have failed to attain their goals. The goals of boot camps vary between institutions. Still, there are several goals that are more prominent than others. The reductions of recidivism, prison overcrowding, and prison costs were three of the most salient goals noted throughout the literature and are the areas upon which this article focuses. The literature indicates that boot camps have had little, if any, success in attaining these goals. The author, however, does not recommend abandoning boot camps, but rather using the evaluation findings to remedy flaws in the programs. Most notable is the lack of aftercare and follow-up programming. Apparently, when boot camp graduates return to the community, absent the boot camp structure and staff presence, they revert to previous behaviors. A main theme of this article is that corrections policy-makers should not invest a large amount of resources in programs, based on laudable goals, until empirical evaluations prove their effectiveness. 41 references