Machiavellian Perspective on the Development of Boot Camp Prisons: A Debate

• NCJ Number: 153812
• Date Published: 1995
• Author(s): D L MacKenzie; C Souryal
• Length: 30 pages
• Grant Number(s): 90-DD-CX-0061
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: University of Maryland
• Sale Source: University of Maryland
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Country: United States of America
• Note: To appear in the University of Chicago Law School Roundtable: A Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Annotation

The two perspectives presented in this paper make different assertions about the punitiveness of the public, the impact of the military component of boot camp programs, and the potential of boot camp programs to reduce prison crowding and change offenders.

Abstract

The "Machiavellian" perspective argues that these programs may be reasonable means of addressing prison crowding and providing treatment to offenders. From this perspective, there is nothing wrong with the military model, particularly if it provides other benefits. The alternative view is that the Machiavellian perspective is wrong to presume that the public is single-mindedly punitive. By choosing to endorse the development of boot camp prisons, the Machiavellian perspective dismisses as idealistic the possibility of more constructive dialogue between policymakers and the public; consequently, it diminishes the prospect of developing more effective correctional programs. Doubt has additionally been cast on the ability of boot camp programs to reduce either recidivism or prison crowding. There is research to support each perspective. More information is needed about the impact of specific components of the boot camps and the expectations of the public and policymakers. 93 footnotes