What is the Scared Straight program?

Scared Straight programs involve prison visits by juveniles who are at risk for criminal behavior. Programs are designed to deter participants from committing crimes through first-hand observation of prison life and interaction with adult inmates.

The basic premise is that juveniles who see what prison is like will be "scared straight" and deterred from future violations of the law. Inmate presentations about prison life can include one-on-one confrontations meant to scare the juveniles. In some cases, juveniles may be assimilated into the prison population and spend the night as an inmate. The goal of such programs is to show juveniles the consequences of criminal behavior.