Is less better?: Boot camp, regular probation and rearrest in North Carolina

The total effects of boot camps that house juveniles: A systematic review of the evidence

“…Boot camps have the explicit goal of changing participants' problem behaviors (e.g., antisocial attitudes, offending). More specifically, the short-term confinement, coupled with the strict discipline and demanding physical exercise and labor common to boot camps, can "shock" participants into behaving in a respectful and obedient manner, making them more likely to comply with rules or laws upon completion of the program (Jones & Ross, 1997a;MacKenzie & Parent, 2004;MacKenzie, Souryal, Sealock, & Bin Kashem, 1997;MacKenzie, 2006). Interactions with boot camp staff or adherence to the daily routine could also teach participants skills that better enable them to control their behavior.…”

“…Interactions with boot camp staff or adherence to the daily routine could also teach participants skills that better enable them to control their behavior. Camp participants are expected to learn and practice prosocial behaviors (e.g., respect), and the close supervision within these programs permits staff to reinforce these positive behaviors and punish negative behaviors immediately (Jones & Ross, 1997a;MacKenzie & Parent, 2004;MacKenzie, 2006). In addition to reducing participants' problem behaviors, correctional boot camps also have the goal of reducing institutional populations by diverting participants away from traditional confinement facilities and housing them for shorter periods of time (MacKenzie & Parent, 2004;Parent, 2003;Reid-MacNevin, 1997).…”

The Rise and Fall of Boot Camps

“…Over time, studies from diverse sources have accumulated that have reached the same discouraging conclusion: Contrary to optimistic claims rooted in common sense, boot camps have not proven effective in reducing recidivism (see, e.g., Cullen et al, 1996;Gendreau, Goggin, Cullen, & Andrews, 2000;Howell, 2003;Jones & Ross, 1997;MacKenzie, 2002;MacKenzie, Wilson, & Kider, 2001;Parent, 2003;Stinchcomb & Terry, 2001). These findings do not mean that some bright spots might not be detected.…”

Juvenile Waiver, Boot Camp, and Recidivism in a Northwestern State

“…Violent offenses were defined as those that could have resulted in injury to a person. Race has been examined by others who have explored these topics (e.g., Barnes & Franz, 1989;Benda, Toombs, & Peacock, 2002;Houghtalin & Mays, 1991;Jones & Ross, 1997;Myers, 2003b;Stinchcomb & Terry, 2001). This state under study here is homogenous, where the 2000 census revealed it to be 93% White.…”

“…Indeed, the samples assessed in several studies contained offenders ages 16 and 17 (e.g., Anderson et al, 1997;Jones & Ross, 1997;Wright & Mays, 1998). Although several of these studies controlled for age, no study of boot camps to date has examined their effects on juveniles waived to adult criminal court.…”