In 1983 the first correctional boot camps were established in Georgia and Oklahoma. Since then a large number of boot camp facilities have developed across the country. These boot camps, also know as shock incarceration camps, all have the common trait of a military environment used to teach structure, self-discipline, self-esteem, and living skills (Koch). Through the teaching of these skills boot camps share many common goals.
             Not all boot camps are out to accomplish the same exact thing, but most incorporate the four goals of the sentencing. The goal of deterrence is attempted by creating a fear to prevent future occurrences. Incapacitation is achieved by detaining the offenders in a military atmosphere. Retribution is accomplished by removing the offender from society and at same time removing some of his rights. Finally the most important and perhaps the most controversial goal is rehabilitation. The boot camps aim to change a person by breaking down an offender mentally and rebuild them with a new attitude much like the military boot camps do, and at the same time teach them the skills they will need to be successfully reintegrated into society (Zaehringer). Along with these four goals, boot camps also aim to reduce the overcrowding problem in American prisons and also to be cost effective compared to traditional methods of incapacitation.
             All boot camps set out to achieve these goals but there are three different types of boot camps. The first type first type is most like a military camp focusing on drilling, strict discipline, physical training, and hard work. The second type concentrates more on rehabilitating the offender rather than the physically challenging aspects. The third type also puts a strong emphasis on rehabilitation but also stresses an educational component. The third type of boot camp is generally most popular for juvenile offenders (Koch). Based on my studies of boot camps I feel that boot camps wou...