NCJ Number
188047
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 47 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 221-242
Editor(s)
Ronald E. Vogel
Date Published
April 2001
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study measures recidivism outcome for those assigned to a county operated boot camp, contributing to the sparse literature on jail-based boot camps, and to determine whether results are consistent with the current literature on State operated (prison-based) boot camps. The study also includes a regression analysis of those variables that might reveal additional insights into boot camp recidivism rates.
Abstract
With the early stages of enchantment with their symbolic appeal over, boot camps are increasingly being subjected to accountability measures. Research thus far has cast doubt on the practical ability of boot camp interventions fulfilling their expectations. The program under study is a 90-day residential program administered by an urban jail in Florida for groups of 25 to 35 youthful offenders. The intervention program is designed to provide a structured experience focused on reinforcing socially acceptable behavior through both strict discipline and positive reinforcement with specific curriculum components built in (i.e. physical fitness, education, counseling, substance abuse counseling, employment). Looking beyond program participation, this study explored variables that might contribute to recidivism and found relationships between the likelihood of being rearrested and race, type of release, number of prior felonies, age, and prior criminal history. The results indicate that compared with others who received either jail time, probation, or community control, former boot camp cadets were statistically no more likely to be rearrested, although they were arrested more frequently. Study findings include: (1) the local boot camp has become a shorter alternative to a potentially longer prison term, viewing the program as a diversionary alternative; and (2) the majority of boot camp graduates were not first-time offenders, causing a discrepancy between programmatic theory and implementation practice. In addition, race, type of release, prior felonies, age, and criminal history were found to be significantly related to being rearrested. The study finding that those with more prior felonies and longer criminal histories were more likely to be rearrested reinforced the issue of whether boot camps are targeting the appropriate client group. In summary, the study concluded it takes more than 90 days of regimentation to divert felons from future criminal involvement, especially if those offenders have, on average, committed two prior felonies and have an extensive criminal history. References