Suicide Among Incarcerated Juveniles 273once again placed in an unstructured environment and expected to maintain the
regimen that he or she has "learned." According to behavioral theory, the beha-
vior will not generalize to the natural environment because the ecological cues are
completely different and the person's conduct is neither required nor reinforced.
For these reasons, it appears that psychologists can provide a great deal of insight
into the methods tor improving existing boot-camp programs; this would allow
for the comprehensive impact of environmental influences on human behavior and
child development. Furthermore, criminal justice research has illustrated for years
that programs based on deterrence are not effective in reducing recidivism. With
the vast amount of literature supporting this notion, policy makers should question
why millions of dollars continue to be spent to build new boot camp facilities. Such
programs have yet to prove they decrease juvenile recidivism. Indeed, at times, they
have deleterious effects on adolescents.
Suggestions for Future ResearchOutcome studies would provide a more thorough understanding of the lasting ef-
fects of boot camp placement on subsequent offending. Future research would do
well to focus on which aspects of existing boot camp programs are working and
which are not. In some instances, academic achievement increases among those
who participate in boot camps. However, there are no studies examining the psy-
chological well-being of the children when they enter as opposed to when they
leave the program. Moreover, no studies exist assessing whether strict militaristic
discipline has any negative psychological effects on children's self-esteem or self-
worth. Finally, future research needs to explore potential program development
including a family and community reunification component so that situations such
as Johnny's can be better addressed.
Suicide among Incarcerated Juveniles
Introduction
Suicide claims the lives of thousands of adolescents each year. Currently, suicide is the
third leading cause of death among youths. Moreover, it is important to note that for
every adolescent who completes suicide, hundreds of others attempt it. Among the
youths at high risk for suicide are those who are incarcerated. The isolation, despair,
guilt, and hopelessness felt by many incarcerated juveniles is portrayed through
suicidal ideation, nonfatal self-injurious behavior, and, ultimately, the desperate
act of taking one's own life. The research and clinical intervention concerning
life-threatening behavior among incarcerated juveniles is relatively sparse. The link
between delinquency and suicide, as well as between incarceration and suicide,