NCJ Number
168904
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 25 Issue: 1/2 Dated: 1997 Pages: 97-102
Date Published
1997
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study determined whether a self-reported history of drug use, supported by official data, is related to completion or failure in the shock incarceration approach of the Alabama Boot Camp Program.
Abstract
This program is designed around a 12-step model, because it was established as a form of treatment for drug and alcohol abusers. The evaluation was conducted with the first class of the program. Data were collected in July 1989. At that time, approximately 220 individuals had been involved in the program. Of this number, 50 failed the program (23 percent), and 170 graduated. Because of this high failure rate, this study sought to determine whether there were significant differences in drug use between the participants who completed the program and those who failed. To achieve this, two samples were drawn, one from the graduates and the other from the failures. Drug use data were acquired from the inmates' prison files. Participants were given questionnaires that focused on drug involvement when they entered and exited the program. They were also required to write a history of their drug use. Program completion in boot camp was measured by graduation and subsequent release to probation by the court. Program failure meant the individual did not graduate for reasons related to poor performance. Findings show that drug use and boot camp completion or failure had no correlation. Consequently, this study cannot aid the judiciary or prison officials in selecting those offenders most likely to complete the boot camp program. 1 table and 8 references