NCJ Number
188485
Date Published
2002
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This chapter provides a typology that can be used as a model for understanding differences in boot camp facilities and programmatic objectives, as well as evaluative research designs.
Abstract
A general definition of boot camp facilities is problematic, since programs differ in their basic components. This means that evaluation results from one boot camp program cannot be generalized to other facilities. The only component that almost all research has identified as being a prerequisite for a program to be considered a boot camp is a military type of structure, regimen, and discipline. Most researchers agree on five basic goals of boot camps: incapacitation, deterrence, rehabilitation, reduction of prison costs and crowding, and punishment. Although most research on boot camps has focused on facilities operated at the State level, boot camps also are being operated by Federal and local governments. One section of this chapter describes a typology that aims to explain the differences between boot camp programs as a function of their emphasis on different goals. The typology's theoretical foundation is provided by the work of MacKenzie (1990), who divided boot camp programs according to their level of emphasis on rehabilitation. This chapter explains the typology's methods, the construction of the typology, the achievability of goals as a function of components, selection criteria components, participant selection controllers, program characteristics, program capacity and location, and community supervision. The key to determining overall success or failure of boot camps lies in understanding the differences between them and the effect of these differences on their goals. Program evaluation should be based on the true goals. 1 table and 17 references