NCJ Number
184609
Journal
National Institute of Justice Journal Issue: 227 Dated: November 1993 Pages: 21-28
Date Published
November 1993
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Shock incarceration programs for adults operate in 30 States, 10 local jurisdictions, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons and now have more than 7,000 beds that can potentially accommodate more than 23,000 offenders per year, because offenders spend an average of 1-7 days in the programs.
Abstract
Most State programs target young adult offenders convicted of nonviolent crimes who are serving their first prison terms. Forty-two percent of the States intensively supervise offenders released from boot camps; 50 percent vary the supervision depending on evaluated risk; and the other 8 percent require moderate or standard supervision. A typical boot camp program involves a day of 10-16 hours that includes physical training and drill; hard physical labor; meals; and evening programs that include counseling, life skills training, academic education, or drug education and treatment. A 1992 survey indicated that program officials regarded rehabilitation and reducing recidivism as the most important goals; they also considered reducing crowding and providing a safe prison setting to be important. All programs operating in 1992 reported having drug education or a combination of drug education and drug treatment. The programs continue to develop and change; many have begun to allot an increasing amount of time to rehabilitation and education. Eight States are participating in the study of shock incarceration sponsored by the National Institute of Justice. Results have revealed major program variations and no indication that shock incarceration had a negative impact on inmate attitudes. Researchers are now examining outcomes after release. Photographs and reference notes