Panacea Phenomenon Case Study

The juvenile community corrections population has experienced a tremendous growth over the past two decades. In cities like Miami, Florida in places like Liberty City, called “Pork and Beans,” the volume of adjudicated youths ordered to formal probation increased by 67% according to Adams (2011). Juvenile crime has been on a rise, in Miami, Florida since 2002. The police believe that young people are becoming targets, more than before because they are young and are sending them to juvenile court. This growth has had serious inferences for juvenile probation officers that make frequent choices about the case management of juvenile offenders on a daily basis. Juvenile probation officers have to type dispositions and assignment references,

to change case management plan, and decide the punishment or service the adolescence can benefit from, such as boot camp, job corps and other programs offer to them. These decisions are predominantly concerning as it determines whether the adolescence can be help to improve his or her life. In some of cases implicates the assign officer has to have integrity and good judgments about the adolescences’ level of risk to themselves and the public
Yearly debates accrue regarding the use of clinical predictions when it comes to making judgments about juvenile crime levels and punishments as well as about individuals’ level of risk for violence or reoffending, are also viewed on each client the officer is appointed to. Investigations have exposed weaknesses to accurate clinical judgment, to preconceived notions, lack of awareness, overconfidence, and hindsight bias. The Juvenile System helps by reintegrating teenagers back into the society through boot camp, job corps and other forms of rehabilitation programs. Although the juvenile system and probation are similar they have some differences, depending on what the young offender needs. Juveniles on probation tend to have more freedom; this includes visits from probation officers, if they follow the rules set by a judge. Juveniles in places like boot camps have limited freedom because they live within a facility with military training background. Boot camp is an effective program for some juveniles depending on the motivation and progress they want to achieve, and individual effort is expected from each participant. While in some cases, teens may become worst, because they tend to learn other bad influence and habits from others troubled kids. Boot camp is meant for children who need harsh discipline, extreme bodily exertion, and to learn to respect people who hold power, especially from parents, and teachers. Boot camp is most beneficial for teens this can help them modify their behavior and teach them to respect, and to have some type of structure in their lives. The use of military-style discipline in a correctional setting is not a new concept has been used for years to correct behaviors. Since the 1800's the Elmira Reformatory used military elements as a basis for their rehabilitative efforts for young kids.
The concept of boot camp has been referred to as the Panacea Phenomenon, by breaking down the individual and reforming them to be a productive member of society with a new outlook (Cronin, 1994).

The Panacea Phenomenon project has consequences, that’s can cause problems depending on the young adult, because they may have a different way of learning speeds and behaviors, the comprehension levels are all different. Harsh discipline replaces anger and confusion among teenagers and their behavior. Parents have a big role to play in their teenager’s life, as some parent’s work all day leaving the kids being raised on their own, with nanny’s or other after care programs where kids can learn from negative influences from other kids. As studies have shown, television also has a negative influence on a teenager’s life by influencing their outlook on life with crime programs and violence. Many people have question if boot camp should be a short term program or a life style for juvenile delinquents; many have agreed that boot camp can help give them some type of structure, will help them later on life. In the United States (U.S.), the General Accounting Office (1993) reported that 26 states were operating 57 boot camps for young adults in the spring of 1992. Boot camps could hold up to a total of 8,800 recruits. The American Institute for Research (1993), appraised boot camps and found that the goal of juvenile boot camps where not made to punish offenders, but to rehabilitate them,

as well as to teach them new skills so they can live a better life away from crime.
Boot camp treatment is an approach to strip away old behavior and improve a juvenile’s way of thinking. Depending on the individual’s attitude and his/her ability to respect those who have power, the training will teach them how to act and behave properly. As a result, trouble youths get many of their habits from home if parents have been in jail or have behavior problems. Mostly, these parents are considered delinquents or have little time for their children. Parents of problem children, they have to find time to dedicate to their child and help them improve their behavior. Boot camps can be either the worst or best experience they have. It is not easy to change one’s lifestyle, but the long-term results that boot camp can have may be extraordinary. The success rate of boot camp varies from state to state. These programs can help change an individual’s thinking pattern, reinforces the concept of family, make daily routines to follow, and can even save lives. The outcome of a child in boot camp depends on the attitude of the youth as well as how encouraging the parents to their child; they should create a program to teach parents how to deal with juvenile delinquents. Florida boot camp for juvenile offenders has been open since1993, with the opening of camps in Manatee County.
Boot camp program introduces juveniles who are in the middle class that are having behavior problems and have a record at a young age. Program is opened to all juvenile delinquents, although it does excludes juveniles offenders who committed armed robbery, sex offenders, and youths with a record of serious offences. Boot camps include three main goals: reducing recidivism among juvenile offenders, reducing prison populations, and reducing costs making taxes payers pay less in taxes. These basically deals with juvenile delinquents, keeping in mind that some programs vary from state to state, in considering probation, boot camp, family counseling, and other small family programs. Among theses the small family program produces the best long term results within states. Different programs in different states improving educational performance, physical fitness, and behavior within boot camp programs.
In many schools throughout in the United States of America, there are delinquent teenagers are in need of serious rehabilitation. What teenagers think is “normal” and “cool”, in reality they are highly disturbed individuals without the proper guidance. Some of these delinquents’ teens are rude and disrespectful to those who have authority. Boot Camp programs follow military background training, and exercises harsh discipline by teaching teen structure and respect. The key is to breakdown and strip away all negative thinking and replace them with positive ones and show them what good ones are. The delinquency rate is increasing every day and, now, more than ever boot camps are needed. The reality is these delinquents are not going to be rehabilitated by themselves, they need help. Parents should be more involved in their children’s lives by setting rules and discipline from an early age. Teenagers should stay away from delinquents and should become friends with more productive members of society
Delinquent’s children who are involved in criminal activities from an early age should be instituted in a prison boot camp as soon as they are acting up. They should be treated, counseled, and discipline daily, if they do not get help they can become a reoffending criminal. However the risk in enrolling these teenagers into such disciplinary programs can either make them improve or break them down. The best way to correct a bad behavior is to show these juveniles how to use their time effectively. Find out what they like to do that is productive and reward them when possible. Parent, family members and friends should show them love and always be open to help them improve themselves with positive attitudes. These small and little steps may change teen’s life from taking the wrong path to becoming a delinquent.
Prevention strategies are a productive step in the right direction with in a teenager’s life today. This is not going to prevent teenagers from acting out, but it can reduce the risk tremendously. If parents take care of their children, train them from young age how to act, and mold them into productive teenagers this can reduce the delinquency rate. Most importantly, parents need to teach them how to respect others and themselves, as this can go a long way. To those juveniles who are willing change and want an enjoyable life, this can be possible with the right training. The first steps for these teenagers are understanding what they have done wrong, understanding how to act around others, understanding which hobbies are positive and can help them improve, and understanding that they do not need to be the most popular kid. Just remember that the “nails that stick out are the first to get hammered.” Sometimes it seems like these delinquents do not know how to act like an average teenager. Other times they act out looking for attention from anyone who will give it to them. Most of the time they do not comprehend what they are doing is wrong until it’s too late and they end up at the principal’s office or getting reprehended from an adult.
The Crime Control Model is similar to Boot Camp as they both enforce policies and strict programs to help reintegrate offenders back into society. The crime control model refers to a theory of criminal justice which place emphasis on reducing the crime in society through increasing policy and prosecutorial powers, to help teens improve their quality of life. The reason juvenile boot camp reduces crime though rehabilitating is the extreme; the lengthy process of the rehabilitation is given to each individual. The Boot Camp treatment and Crime Control Model both help to change a teen’s way of thinking and help them to become respected members of society. Both programs help family members of juvenile delinquents, by teaching them how to deal with their problem children.
In conclusion, juvenile delinquents are not going to be rehabilitated by themselves, they need help.

Parents should be more involved with their children’s lives, and try to discipline and set rules at an early age. It is better for a juvenile to be confined rather than him/her influencing average teenagers to follow in his footsteps. It is a sad day when a teenager has to spend his/her days in a juvenile facility rather than outside enjoying his freedom and childhood. Children, who attend these programs and cannot cope with the challenges, can be easily abused. The risk in enrolling these teenagers into such disciplinary programs may either break them or make them improve their behaviors and quality of life. Teenagers who come out of these camps are stronger, disciplined, educated and even become role models to other teens can someday help other delinquents. In order to change someone’s life, one must first change his/her actions and

behavior.