91172.pdf

270 10 Corrections and Prison Practices—Juvenile Forensics

recidivism reduction has actually been achieved with the implementation of boot
camps throughout the United States. Some experts argue that the implementation
of boot-camp programs does nothing to change the environment from which the
juvenile emerges, and, therefore, once the program has ended, the juvenile's return
to the same environment perpetuates their engagement in criminal behavior. For
this reason, it has been argued that boot-camp facilities do not curb long-term re-
cidivism rates among juvenile offenders. The hypothetical case of Johnny illustrates
a common trend among boot-camp participants.

Johnny is a 16-year-old boy who was recently arrested for the first time. He was caught

breaking into a house while under the influence of a controlled substance. Because this

was Johnny's first offense, he was sentenced to the local juvenile boot camp which had

recently been built in his small town. While at the boot camp, Johnny's day began at

5:00 A.M. and ended at 9:00 P.M. His 16-hour day consisted of rigorous calisthenics, strict

discipline, difficult work, job training, and educational programs. Johnny became very

comfortable with the routine and was a role-model to new recruits. After 90 days in the

boot camp, Johnny was released to his parents. He would remain on probation for the

next month, during which time he was not to leave his house except to go to school

and meet with his probation officer.

johnny's first night at home reminded him of what his life was like prior to boot

camp. His parents were both intoxicated and began yelling at one another within the first

hour Johnny was home. Johnny decided to tell his parents about his experience at boot

camp and the changes he intended to make in his life. Johnny's father, irate at his son for

interrupting, began to beat Johnny and tell him how worthless he was. The physical and

verbal abuse lasted for one hour at which time the neighbors called the police for the

disturbance. Johnny, afraid of the police seeing his bloody and bruised body, ran away.

The next day Johnny was arrested for violating his probation.

Literature Review

A rapid growth of boot camps for adult offenders evolved in the United States in

the 1980s. At the time, there were questions as to whether such programs would be

appropriate for youthful offenders. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency

Prevention (OJJDP) sought to explore whether adult boot camps could in fact

be adapted to suit the needs of juveniles. The OJJDP funded a study in 1992 to

examine three existing boot-camp programs in order to determine the possible

adaptations that would be required to make them suitable for juvenile offenders

(Bourque ct al., 1996). Throughout the 1990s, numerous juvenile boot camps have

been developed as an alternative to traditional incarceration.

Boot camp facilities provide a militaristic regimen of strenuous physical con-

ditioning and strict discipline. Specifically, boot camps are intended to provide a

cost-efiective means of dealing with delinquent youths, instill morality and ethics,

strengthen academic achievement, and hold adolescents accountable for their ac-

tions while providing them with the tools necessary to prevent reoffense. It is

questionable whether boot camps are in fact providing juveniles with the necessary