Boot Camp
Introduction
In response to the growing rate of serious crime, most correctional systems started boot camps as an alternate sanction that could reduce prison populations, operating costs and recidivism (Begin, 2011). Boot camps are in-prison programs, which resemble basic military training. The boot camp started operation in 1985, in Louisiana (Ashcroft, 2012). Despite the many years of popularity with the public and policymakers, boot camps have been able to meet most of its objectives. They highlight vigorous drill and ceremony, manual labor, physical activity, and other activities, which certify that participants have little or no free time. Strict guidelines govern all features of appearance and conduct. Correctional officers are drill instructors, originally using strong verbal tactics intended to reduce inmates’ resistance, leading to positive changes (Ashcroft, 2012). The boot camps’ therapeutic programs and disciplined structure eliminate idleness and create a safer environment that in turn improve inmate behavior and attitudes.
Thesis Statement
Some people think that boot camps are too harsh, and many correctional boot camps have been shut down because of this. However, it is true to say that correctional boot camps are a very effective tool in changing delinquent behavior. Many delinquents change their life around after going through a correctional boot camp.
Boot Camps are not harsh and should not be Shut Down
Boot camps have evolved into the criminal justice system. Advocates of boot camps commonly list five purposes behind boot camps: deterrence, incapacitation, punishment, cost control and rehabilitation (MacKenzie & Hebert, 2009). With the exclusion of cost control, the rest are traditional justifications underlying criminal punishment. Punishment centered boot camps major primarily on military training and physical tasks. Rehabilitation centered boot camps major more on programs that are supportive, such as counseling, drug treatment, and education. Juvenile boot camps commonly combine elements of both punishments centered and rehabilitation centered. Even though juvenile camps provide treatment programs, like academic education, drug treatment, counseling, and vocational training, they also embrace some amount of physical punishments like push ups (Wilson, MacKenzie, & Mitchell, 2012). These programs look advantageous to the partakers than being harsh, which can make the boot camps to be shut down.
Characteristically, boot camp partakers are only needed to follow a harsh daily schedule of activities. Partakers are awoken every morning and are assigned various activities through the day with no or little free time (MacKenzie & Hebert, 2009). Strict guidelines and rules regulate all facets of inmates’ appearance and conduct. This process is not harsh and severe as it only aims at changing delinquent behavior and behavior change in inmates. Punishment for misconduct is typically swift and only involves some physical activity like push-ups, which is fair enough. Boot camp officers cite deterrence, cost control and rehabilitation as their foremost goals while the policy makers and public tend to an emphasis on punishment and deterrence (Begin, 2011). The underlying determinations may be similar to those of traditional correctional facility. However, boot camps are exceptionally capable of meeting the goals of the traditional correctional facility that are harsh …
