Boot camps developed as a result of juvenile delinquency rising and evolving over time. Records indicate that juvenile delinquent offenders shot to 35 percent between 1978 and 1989.Thus the juvenile correctional system was under pressure just like the adult one. This then called for the need for a long term institutionalization of the juvenile system. The boot camps, which constitute one version of shock incarceration, were established. However, several questions arise over the adoption of boot camps in the correctional system.
Juveniles should not be allowed to enter boot camps. This is due to many reasons. Firstly, boot camps were originally meant designed for adults joining the military (Bradshaw and Rosenborough, 2005). Therefore, young offenders are not fit not fit enough to withstand the physical regimen in the camps. In fact this harsh image is at odds with the juvenile justice system which has always emphasized ‘rehabilitation’ as opposed to punishment.
Faced with a defiant and out-of- control youth, the idea of sending that youth to a boot camp would seem attractive to the parent at the beginning. However, on top of the hyped stories about the benefits of boot camps, there are many inherent challenges and risks that come with sending ones child to a boot camp (Bradshaw and Rosenborough, 2005). The truth of the matter is that no independent research substantive results on the benefits of boot camps. Proved so far is the fact that such boot camps have not produced significantly low recidivism.
The controversy surrounding boot camps has further been aggravated by reports of abuse by some boot camp prison staff members. This has led to several facilities being closed down completely. Findings show that though most juveniles respond positively while still resident at boot camps, it did not take long for most of them to revert to their usual behavior once they returned to their respective neighborhoods (Siegel and Welsh, 2014).
What is more, some people have become concerned about the rights of the inmates in these camps. These critics argue that the juveniles are not given free choice; instead, they are usually coerced into joining the camps in the first place. In addition, the camp drill instructors do yell at the inmates to obey orders (Vasquez, 2000). Also summary punishments are meted on non-conforming inmates, among other forms of abuse. Some findings indicate that inmates may leave the boot camp as bitter people and not better.
On the other hand, advocates of the boot camps aver that this program is quite beneficial to the juvenile delinquents. They argue that despite what critics say, the inmates end up developing strong beneficial relationships with the boot camp instructors. The supporters also say that drug related offenders benefit greatly from various rehabilitation services offered in the boot camps (Coie and Miller-Johnson, 2001). Ultimately, proponents of boot camp programs feel that the camps stand as the best alternative to the traditional incarcerations where offenders only received nominal supervision.
In conclusion, it can be seen that that though boot camps are a better alternative to traditional incarceration, they still suffer a myriad challenges stemming from structural to curriculum. Further, instead of the correctional system stressing on boot camps, the root causes of the ever rising cases of juvenile delinquency should be identified and remedied. One such way could be educating parents on essentials of good parenting. Also the standardized programs should run across the camps instead of different boot camps choosing which programs to incorporate. In other words, the programs should be holistic. Otherwise, better alternatives to boot camps should be innovated and implemented.
References
Bradshaw, W., & Rosenborough, D. (2005). Restorative Justice Dialogue: The Impact of Mediation and Conferencing on Juvenile Recidivism. Federal Probation, 69 (2), 15-21.
Coie, J.D., & Miller-Johnson, S. (2001). Peer factors and interventions. In Child Delinquents: Development, Intervention, and Service Needs. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Siegel, L.J., & Welsh, B.C. (2014). Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Vasquez, G. (2000). Resiliency: Juvenile offenders recognize their strengths to change their lives. Corrections Today, 62 (3), 106-110.