The Affects of Boot Camps on Juveniles

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In 2005, 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson from was sentenced to probation after taking a joy ride with his stolen grandmothers car. Later that year, he violated his probation after trespassing on school grounds. His parents were given two options, either sending him to a juvenile detention center or boot camp. They chose boot camp as the better rehabilitation program, in hoping to change their son. Anderson lasted three hours at the Florida's Bay County Sheriff's Boot Camp before collapsing and being sent to the hospital, where he was declared dead the next morning. In those three hours, Anderson was required to run sixteen laps, unable to finish the drill instructors shoved ammonia to his face in order for him to regain consciousness and finish his task. Still unresisting, a nurse examined him but allowed the instructors to continue their “treatment” which consisted of punching, kicking, and slamming Anderson until he was unconscious. An autopsy report confirmed his death was a result of a combination of ammonia and the instructors guarding his mouth and nose. Martin Lee Anderson did not last a day at this boot camp, and he is one of a dozen of troubled teens that have died due to the abuse and violations that occur at rehabilitation programs such as boot camps. These programs are not only hurting and abusing children, but also they are taking advantage, gaining profit from vulnerable parents, and most importantly not treating these troubled teens. In A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, Alex goes through an extreme rehabilitation program to change him from a violent gangster to a productive member of society. Similar to the troubled teens in today’s program, Alex was ignored the actual change and development, in favor of surfa... ... middle of paper ... ...rams to help with transition after graduation. Most importantly are programs to truly change these teens, such as drug treatment for those with drug related problems. Instead of a program that takes a child away from their family, a community based program where experts, professionals, and the child’s family is there to help support their process in changing their lives. Adopting a program similar to the California Logic Model, for troubled teens is a possible effective program. The California Logic Model, uses evidence based principles and practices to help the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. Before placed into rehabilitation programs, inmates are assessed in order to make sure they are placed in the right program. Not all juveniles commit the same crime, so they shouldn’t be treated equally. Each individual needs special and specific care to truly change

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