Native American Ethnicity and Childhood Maltreatment as Variables in Perceptions and Adjustments to Boot Camp vs. “Traditional” Correctional Settings

Abstract

A sample of 302 juveniles confined in two separate correctional facilities in a Western plains state was assessed to examine the relationship between child maltreatment and other delinquency risk factors, and Native American ethnicity on perceptions of the institutional environments and psychological adjustment in a boot camp and traditional facility. The results indicate few differences between Native and non-Native American youth's perceptions of institutional environments. Youth institutionalized in the boot camp, however, differed significantly from those in the traditional facility in their perceptions of institutional activity, control, justice, and freedom. Child maltreatment and other risk factors were related to psychological adjustment for all youth. In addition, the boot camp facility significantly reduced anxiety for Native American youth. The implications of this research for boot camps and juvenile justice policy are discussed.