| News
& Views
- Aug, 1993 Issue #23 |
"BOOT CAMP" PROGRAMS
(On May 7, 1993, The Huntsville
Times reported a nineteen year old boy died at a young adult
"boot camp" in Alabama from heart failure during physical
training. The following is a copy of a letter sent to President
Bill Clinton on April 5, 1993. Mr. Burns urges all professionals
to contact President Clinton on the matter of "Boot Camps"
as a part of juvenile corrections.
(As we go to press, President
Clinton has just announced his proposed Crime Bill which includes
boot camps for juvenile offenders as a significant part of
his proposal. - Lon)
President William J. Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Clinton:
As a professional in the field
of child and adolescent treatment, I am very concerned about
administration considerations to expand utilization of "Boot
Camp" programs within juvenile corrections. It appears this
interest is growing more due to the potential economic and
political benefits rather than the realization of their potential.
In fact, I am aware of no reliable evidence which supports
"Boot Camp" effectiveness, while I am aware of a considerable
body of research which shows such approaches and techniques
used by "Boot Camps" are, at best, ineffective and, at worst,
harmful.
These programs rely on aggressive
confrontation, harsh discipline, extreme physical exertion,
and strict obedience to those with power. The basic beliefs
are these methods will 1) "scare" these kids "straight" 2)
improve self confidence and esteem (pride over having survived
the experience) and 3) punish them for their criminal behavior.
I think such programs certainly punish, but little else. In
fact, it is highly likely such treatment increases the probability
of antisocial behavior and decreases self confidence and self
esteem. Reports on these programs reveal that as high as forty
percent (40%) of the youth "wash out" and, that for those
who finish, recidivism rates are the same as for those who
complete the typical corrections program. Based on this information,
one has to ask exactly what has been accomplished?
Also of importance is the question
of humane and non-abusive care and treatment. Quite frankly,
the harsh verbal and physical aspects of these programs would
not be permitted by state licensing authorities in other child
care, treatment or custodial facilities. I can tell you emphatically
such practices would be regarded as abusive and actions would
be taken against the facility. While we still have a long
way to go in terms of providing quality treatment and rehabilitative
care to youth in this country, I certainly think we should
not regress to the point where we think that verbal abuse,
mindless and/or extreme physical exertion, and humiliating
consequences for rule infractions (i.e. wearing baby bottles
around the neck) are suitable practices which produce positive
results. Such an environment will generally only become more
and more abusive. This was the case for the "Boot Camp" opened
in Birmingham, Alabama. The camp was closed in 1992 after
it became clear to external authorities that youth were being
emotionally and physically abused by their "instructors".
Unfortunately, I think this facility may recently have been
allowed to reopen. From a child protection and civil rights
viewpoint, such treatment is not compatible with our public
policy and laws for the protection, care and treatment of
children and adolescents.
Finally, I wish to point out
some of the characteristics of the youth most likely to be
placed in these programs. First, these are not the hardened,
dangerous, violent juvenile criminals. These are excluded
from participation due to their offenses. The youth enrolled
are those which have generally committed non-violent property
crimes or drug offenses. The participants typically will come
from economically and socially disadvantaged homes with histories
of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Educationally, they
will be significantly behind with little or no usable job
skills. Psychologically, many will show clear symptoms of
a variety of diagnosable psychiatric disorders which are often
the result of the brutal treatment they have already received
in their young lives. Are these youth who will benefit from
such a program? If anything, this experience is simply more
of the same. I think many of these psychologically impaired
youth will only be further damaged, traumatized and lost.
In closing, President Clinton,
I want to urge you not to support or encourage the continued
development of such programs. I and other professionals, I
am sure, would gladly give of our time and expertise to provide
assistance and consultation in this area. While we don't have
all the answers about what works, we do know about some things
which clearly do not work. "Boot Camps" do not work and cross
the line between firm guidance and discipline to abuse.
Sincerely,
Christopher Burns, MA
Vice-President - Operations
Three Springs Treatment Programs.
Huntsville, Alabama
205-880-3339
Copyright
© 1993, Woodbury Reports, Inc. (This article may be reproduced
without prior approval if the copyright notice and proper
publication and author attribution accompanies the copy.)
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