NCJ Number
242420
Date Published
January 2007
Length
96 pages
Annotation
This 2007 report to the Pennsylvania Legislature on the State's Motivational Boot Camp Program addresses who goes to boot camp, the results of a Boot Camp Offender Survey, and the impact of aftercare on the re-offending of boot camp graduates.
Abstract
During a 2-year tracking period, approximately 19 percent of the Boot Camp graduates in the recidivism study were re-committed for a technical violation, and 31 percent were arrested for a new crime. There was no significant difference in recidivism among offenders who received a minimum of 90 days aftercare, a minimum of 30 days aftercare, and no mandatory aftercare. Upon graduating from Boot Camp, participants reported being less impulsive, able to make better decisions, and less likely to use drugs. The reported changes remained after being on parole for 6 months. After their Boot Camp experiences, offenders were more likely to be employed full-time and less likely to use drugs or alcohol. Most made new friends, did not "hang out" with their old friends, and associated with fewer friends who had been in trouble with the law. The typical Boot Camp resident is a young, non-White male convicted of a drug offense who lived in an urban area. Responses to the Boot Camp Offender Survey indicate that most offenders have a high school education and have been employed. Most offenders reported being single, having children, and living with their children prior to going to Boot Camp. The vast majority had committed prior offenses, primarily drug-related, including DUI. A significant number had been arrested as a juvenile. Most had used drugs the day of their offense, with marijuana and cocaine being the predominant drugs of choice. The majority believed that the Boot Camp would provide them self-discipline and substance abuse treatment. Appended extensive data from the Self-Report Survey