![]() Some studies even showed that scared straight programs are counterproductive, and even harmful to the participants. According to studies, participants of scared straight programs are far more likely to continue committing crimes and using illicit substances than those who do not. But rather than straightening up and miraculously turning over a new leaf, more than 40% of the participants were later arrested for new crimes. Who wouldn’t be afraid of winding up in an arguably dangerous environment, such as living in a small cell surrounded by hardened criminals who appear to be a threat? Parents, community members and lawmakers sent tens of thousands of teenagers to scared straight programs around the country with that very thought in mind, and hopes for positive outcomes for their kids. When nothing else appears to work, maybe scaring them will. It may seem like opening a kid’s eyes to the dangers that lie ahead if they continue risky behavior would curb the desire to be reckless. Within a short time, scared straight programs popped up throughout the country, and by 1980, more than 13,000 teens had participated. Scared Straight later gained popularity when a documentary covering the program aired on television. ![]() Proponents of this approach believed that the scare tactics would work, and the program was born. ![]() Unfortunately, the role of inmate-counselor often deteriorated into one of doomsayer, rife with yelling, intimidation and threats of impending doom if the teen should continue to offend and wind up serving time in prison with hardened criminals. Their intent was to counsel young offenders, or kids who were on the path to becoming inmates themselves, and prevent them from breaking the law and ending up in prison. Ironically, scared straight programs are the brainchild of a group of prison inmates who were serving life sentences in the mid-1970s. An example of such radical methods are scared straight programs. For these young people, parents and caregivers turn to alternative, and sometimes radical, methods to keep kids on track. Despite these efforts, some kids do not respond to traditional methods of deterrence. Many parents, and the community at large, have invested a great deal of time and effort in exploring how to ensure kids grow up happy, healthy and without the negative consequences of having violated the law or abused drugs and alcohol.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |