Since the crime rate all over the world has been dramatically increasing through the years, many correctional systems established boot camps as an alternative sanction to law offenders. Boot camps were created by various correctional systems with the goal of reducing the prison population, curb operation costs, and hinder recidivism. Boot camps have been in existence for so many years, but still have difficulty of meeting these goals.
Correctional boot camps refer to in-prison programs administered by many correctional facilities. The program resembles a military basic training. An inmate under this program will be required to undergo vigorous drills, physical drills, manual labor, and other related physical activities to ensure that he has little free time to spare. There are also strict rules that every inmate needs to follow in all aspects of conduct and appearance.
According to the research conducted by the National Institute of Justice or NIJ over a 10-year period during the 1980s, it was shown that boot camps had a positive impact on the attitudes, behaviors, perceptions, and skills of inmates during their tenure. However, these positive changes did not reduce recidivism as many inmates returned to their old ways. Nonetheless, boot camps were able to achieve their goal of reducing the prison population by a small percentage.
This article will discuss some of the things you need to learn about how to survive boot camp.
How to Survive Boot Camp?
1. Learn to respect the authority in-charge
Being in a boot camp has physical and mental requirements. Correctional officers are tasked to serve as drill instructors. It is expected that the drill instruction will make use of intense verbal tactics designed to affect the inmates’ resistance and mental wellbeing. Although their words can be mentally excruciating especially after the inmates spent hours of being under the sun, they need to resist the urge to talk back in order to avoid additional sanctions.
2. Never complain
Boot camps were established for a reason, and that is to provide discipline to wrongdoers. If you did not break the law in the first place, you will not be going through boot camp. Learn to accept responsibility for your action. Complaining will do nothing good as it can just add up to your sentence. Also, avoid questioning the logic of your boot camp activities if you want to stay on the good side of your superiors.
3. Stay focused
A boot camp is 20% physically and 80% mentally excruciating. Do not get discouraged or give in to the temptation of quitting as it was never considered an option in the first place. Consider boot camp as a hurdle that you need to endure in order to get your much-desired freedom.
4. Don’t let your health suffer
Although correctional boot camps are meant to discipline wrongdoers, you still need to take care of your health. Eat your food if it is already mealtime and take some rest if it is time to do so. If you feel pain, tell your trainer right away and consult the prison physician. Remember to disclose any existing health conditions such as gastritis, pancreatitis, anemia, hernia, diabetes mellitus, gout, hypothyroidism, goiter, planter fasciitis, neuroma, bone fractures, kidney dysfunction, and heart disease. You’ll be tested in boot camps so you have to be in shape. Also, try to listen to your body.
You have to drink a lot of water while you are in boot camp. Dehydration can drain your energy and it can lead to headache, constipation, dizziness, low blood pressure, fever, and rapid heartbeat. It is advisable to drink two glasses of water before you start the training and two glasses after.
5. Learn to follow the rules
Remember that you do not make the rules. When in boot camp, you need to follow the rules set by the authority. If you break the rules, learn to accept the consequences. The basic rule is do not speak to your superiors unless you are asked a question. Also, do whatever you superiors are telling you. When they tell you to move, you have to move fast. If they tell you to clean, clean fast. Remember to do things as fast as you can. Do your best and be a team player. Do not be arrogant.
6. Keep a low profile.
Sometimes, you’ll have a strong desire to excel, especially if you have superior physical skills. Do not volunteer for anything. It’s better to let your trainers pick you. Standing out and being a superstar is a double-edged sword. It comes with great responsibility.
7. Keep your voice down.
Keep a low tone of voice when you’re talking to your trainer. Also, it’s best to keep your head down while you’re answering your trainer’s questions. Always ask permission whenever you need to go to the bathroom.
8. Do not goof around.
Boot camp is challenging and difficult so it’s tempting to joke around to cheer other people up. Avoid doing this while you’re training. But, you can joke around during lunchtime or breaks.
9. Remember to take deep breaths.
When you are doing difficult exercises, remember to take a deep breath and contract your abdominal muscles to protect your back.
10. Look at boot camp as a learning opportunity.
To make the most out of your boot camp training, you must look at it as a learning opportunity. Study your manual carefully and pay attention to your lessons.
11. Maintain a “can do” attitude.
Boot camp is not easy. It is draining both physically and mentally so you must maintain a positive attitude. Also, learn to encourage others. Always help other inmates whenever you can.
12. Do not take things personally.
The prison officers are usually tough on inmates during boot camp so do not take things personally. Simply ignore an insult and don’t let it affect you.
Simply follow the steps above on how to survive boot camp. Actually, there are not rules that are set in stone as each boot camp varies from the other. If you don’t want to go through the painstaking activities in a boot camp, do not commit any unlawful activity and follow the law.
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