NCJ Number
133450
Journal
American Jails Volume: 5 Issue: 5 Dated: (November-December 1991) Pages: 107-108,110-111
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A visit to a military boot camp garnered information that could be used to improve correctional boot camps being established by the civilian criminal justice system.
Abstract
The basic element of military boot camp is the transition from a civilian to a military way of life, with willing compliance to military customs, courtesies, and good order and discipline rules. An initial verbal confrontation is used to establish who is in charge and what is expected of "recruits," but the goal of boot camp is never to break down or demean a person. The true military approach, which is demanding but fair, will eliminate abuse rather than cause it. However, it should be noted that shock incarceration must differ from military boot camp in that encouragement of traits including self-confidence and improved individual capabilities may not be suitable for offenders.