If each of the 1,434 offenders who completed the boot camp portion of the program during 1999 had been confined in a Level I prison camp throughout the year, it would have been necessary to construct five 300-bed camps to confine them. In addition to the cost savings associated with the program, it has proven to be effective in deterring its graduates from subsequent criminal behavior. Of the 2,678 prisoners who completed the program between 1995 and 1999, only 12 percent had returned to prison with new felony convictions. The military discipline portion of the program is designed to break down streetwise attitudes so staff can teach positive values and attitudes. They perform conservation work, recycling and clean parks.
Women take part in the boot camp experience, too.
For prisoners, it will include an 18-month parole or the balance of the minimum sentence, whichever is longer. The first four months of parole are under intensive supervision, which can include daily supervision, including nights and weekends, if needed. While in post release, offenders are expected to work or go to school at least 30 hours per week. They must submit to a drug test when requested and participate in any counseling, treatment programming or training, as directed by an agent. The average daily population during 1999 was 376.