NCJ Number
138270
Date Published
1990
Length
32 pages
Annotation
Information from the Florida Department of Corrections' (DOC) computerized database, questionnaire responses, and inmate records were used to review the first 25 months of operation of the DOC's boot camp program.
Abstract
The typical boot camp inmate was 19 years old, used illegal drugs, was convicted on a primary offense of burglary, and was serving a sentence of 3.6 years. Inmates who graduated from the boot camp program were older, more likely to have finished high school, and more likely to have been convicted of a violent crime than participants who failed at boot camp for disciplinary or motivational reasons. Ninety percent of the 281 graduates met or exceeded the requirements of the program in the areas of military drill, obstacle course, work assignment, dress code, substance abuse training, and counseling. The reincarceration rate of boot camp graduates was 25.3 percent, compared to 27.8 percent for a matched inmate group. While graduates had fewer probation violations, they were no less likely to be recommitted to prison for new crimes. Eighty-three percent of the recidivist crimes occurred during the first 8 months after release. Reincarcerated boot camp inmates reported having problems with job skills, employment, and substance abuse. Florida saved over $1.25 million and 39,759 inmate days because boot camp graduates served 19 percent of their sentences, compared to 32 percent for the matched group. 17 tables, 2 figures, and 1 appendix