Boot camps for the youth serve as an alternative means for juveniles who have delinquency problems. Parents who want to restructure their teen’s attitude by not sending them to juvenile hall or punishing them for extending periods of time, find boot camp as an invigorating institutional alternative.
Boot camps are designed to give juveniles the “tough love” approach, meaning “the use of strict disciplinary measures and limitations on freedoms or privileges, as by a parent or guardian, as a means of fostering responsibility and expressing care or concern.” (TheFreeDictionary.com.)
Many juveniles are sent to boot camp because they have committed minor or petty offenses and people who have committed more serious offenses such as: sex offenders, armed robbers, and youths with records of serious violence, are usually excluded from the boot camp program. (Regoli, Hewitt, 402). The juveniles who are sent to boot camp are often termed as being “midranged” delinquents, or those who have failed with less severe sanctions, such as probation. They are not classified as being “hardcore” criminals (Regoli, Hewitt, 402), and are more likely to be reformed after attending the program.
Several people believe that the scare tactics of the military style program offer teens the opportunity to become disciplined and focused, however, others believe that the program has little or no effect on teens at all. Inside of the boot camp, juveniles are subject to a 90-120 day stay, while being intensely exposed to “in-your-face” drill instructors. The youth are required to engage in strenuous physical activities, such as long runs and obstacles and participate in three to six hour workdays. Not only do the teens receive military style instruction, they also receive vocational education, work skills training, job preparation, and drug and alcohol counseling if needed. (Regoli, Hewitt, 403).
One of the main goals of the boot camp program is to “break down” the juvenile so that they can return to their home and society being a good and productive member. The hope of the newly reformed teen will be to obey authority, demonstrate proper behavior at school and home, and to follow rules that are given to them.
There are several types of boot camps, and many of them cost much less to facilitate delinquent youths than the traditional state run correctional programs and facilities. (Hewitt, Regoli, 402). Traditional probation and in state correctional institutions can cost up to $11,616 per year and boot camp cost is typically $6,241, which is much less than the traditional institutions. (Hewitt, Regoli, 402).
I feel that the differential oppression theory applies to boot camps. Regoli and Hewitt believe that delinquents and their delinquencies is a product and that adults are the producers. I believe that by taking the child out of the environment, which they were raised, may give the teen the opportunity to leave a negative situation within the home. Regoli and Hewitt also argue that children do not have the ability to control their social world and are viewed as powerless and unable to manipulate others. The boot camp oppresses the youth by taking away their rights to control their own environment. They do not hold any authority, therefore, they must accept their status of being oppressed and must submit to the people who are in charge, whether being in the home, school or boot camp program. (Hewitt, Regoli, 199)
The labeling theory is also implemented into the restructuring of teens in boot camp. Drill instructors, pound into the juvenile’s head that they are not in charge, they are weak, and the world does not revolve around them. The teen is supposed to hear these persuasive labels so much that they begin to really feel as if these things are true, therefore restructuring their thinking pattern from believing that they are harden criminals or “bad” to weak and submissive individuals.
Many teens have come back reformed after a couple of months in boot camp. Boot camp is often looked at as a way to give teens a positive outlook on life as well as making a safer environment for them rather than sending them to a traditional facility. Many people believe that boot camps have the ability to instill camaraderie within the juveniles and give them a sense of belonging, discipline and focus. Boot camps can provide the youth with many of the things that they cannot receive in the home, making the program a much better alternative to reform individuals.
Despite the positive evaluations within the program, boot camps are often looked down upon because of their strict reinforcements. Therapists argue that the boot camp approach does not have any positive effects on teens. They feel that the “in-your-face” strict environment does not result in transforming an individual into a well-adjusted, responsible young adult. (Boot-camps-info.com).
One of the most recent and controversial issues arising out of a boot camp was when a 14-year old boy named Martin Lee Anderson died after being punched and kicked repeatedly by seven guards at a boot camp facility. The incident was taped and observed by a nurse who stood and watched the youth being beaten to his death. CNN news reported that the guards dragged Anderson around the military-style camp’s exercise yard and forced him to inhale ammonia capsules in what they said was an attempt to revive him. Although the defendants were found not guilty of manslaughter, many people feel that this issue pertained to race because Anderson was an African-American male.
I feel that boot camp is great for youth who lack disciplinary skills and respect for authority; however, I feel that the authority does not have the right to physically harm children no matter what the circumstance. If a youth is threatening the staff or other juveniles at the camp, then the police should be called and they should be sent to jail. I think that drill instructors should not take the matter into their own hands if they are unable to resolve the issue nonviolently. I think that other style of boot camps should be offered also. Including to different affiliations. I think that only making children go to a militaristic style program limits their potential. I feel that special interest boot camps would be a great idea, maybe pertaining to sports, religion, educational and more. I also think that there should be boot camp programs that are free of charge for juveniles who do not have the money to go to the programs. I think that this would be a great alternative for youths in low-income neighborhoods with high crime rates.
Works Cited
“Autopsy: Boot Camp Guards Killed Teen.” CNN. 06 May 2006. 10 Dec. 2007 .
“Boot Camps.” 10 Dec. 2007 .
Regoli, Robert M., and John D. Hewitt. Delinquency in Society. New York: McGraw Hill, 2003.
“Tough Love.” The Free Dictionary. 10 Dec. 2007 .
