NCJ Number
143481
Journal
Progressive (August 1992) Pages: 28-30
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The REAMS (Respect, Education, Attitude, Motivation, and Success) program is one of at least 34 boot camps launched by U.S. prison systems over the past 10 years.
Abstract
Aimed at young, usually first-time offenders convicted of nonviolent crimes, boot camps embody military-style discipline, chain gang labor, and often rather brutal treatment. Although shock incarceration represents the fastest growing trend in penology and Federal and State funding of boot camps is substantial, there is no clear evidence that the approach deters crime. In fact, the strategy of battering and demeaning young offenders to "scare them straight" may do the opposite. In the REAMS program, hard labor starts a few days after inmates arrive. Guards shout conflicting orders, march the inmates, and belittle them by name calling, and tolerate no physical or verbal abuse of any kind. Media coverage of REAMS and other shock prison programs has been mostly supportive, but the Virginia-based National Center for Institutions and Alternatives believes decent treatment of prisoners is more effective than boot camps. In an effort to soften the boot camp approach somewhat, many boot camp planners incorporate rehabilitation for 18- to 25-year-olds. Other programs, such as REAMS, offer educational services, including high school equivalency classes, peer tutoring by inmates who have degrees, drug rehabilitation, and character building sessions. Boot camps are not necessarily cost-effective; for example, in Oklahoma, the per-bed cost of boot camps is $23,500, compared to a per-bed cost in prisons of $17,800. Boot camp programs in various States are noted, and further research on boot camp effectiveness is recommended.