Criminology & Criminal Justice
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Item The Impact of a Correctional Boot Camp on Social Bonds: A Randomized Comparison of a Therapeutic Boot Camp and a Traditional Prison(2007-05-17) Rocque, Michael Ansel; MacKenzie, Doris L; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This paper examines the relationship between a correctional program and social bonds. Research in the field of criminology has demonstrated the importance of adult social bonds with regard to reductions in criminal behavior. However it is unclear if correctional policies can influence social bonds. This study conducts an evaluation of a correctional boot camp (CBC) in relation to its effect on commitment and attachment of incarcerated offenders, using data from the on-going Randomized Study of a Maryland boot camp. The findings show that the particular CBC studied has a weak effect on the measured social bonds. An age interaction is examined to determine if there is a greater treatment effect for older offenders. Results indicate a weak age interaction for one of the measured bonds. Overall correctional boot camps do not appear to help form or enhance social bonds. Implications and directions for future research are discussed in the conclusion.Item Cost Matters: Application and advancement of economic methods to inform policy choice in criminology(2007-05-01) Bierie, David Miles; MacKenzie, Doris L; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This project develops and applies a cost-benefit analytic framework to evaluate a specific policy option facing the state of Maryland: To operate an early release program for adult inmates within a therapeutic boot camp facility, or a traditional prison that also emphasizes treatment. Drawing on a randomized experiment in which inmates were assigned to serve six-month terms at one of the two facilities, the study focuses on costs of administering programs and costs of recidivism during the observed 1 - 4 years after release. The data demonstrate the boot camp costs less to operate than the comparison site, and also generates significant reductions in the 'harm' incurred through recidivism. Thus, the data suggest the boot camp option generates a greater net social value for the state and community. These findings are robust to variation in assumptions and computational techniques, both standard to the cost-benefit literature as well as new approaches introduced in this dissertation.