Sociology 2306: Worksheet--"Scared Straight"

1. Briefly describe the Rahway Lifer's Program.

2. Briefly describe the kids who are featured in this video.

3. What do the prisoners running the program do in order to intimidate the kids?

4. Are they successful?

5. What does the movie report about the effects of the program on these kids?

Group Project: "Scared Straight"

1. Introduce yourselves and exchange phone numbers/e-mail addresses. Find out the career ambitions of each member of your group (make something up if you have no idea).

2. What is the likely incentive for the inmates involved in the Rahway Lifers' Program to participate?

3. What are the requirements for effective evaluation research? In other words, how should a program like the Rahway Lifer's program be evaluated?

4. Why is the general public so ready to believe that a program like this will work, such that these kinds of programs continue to be created even after careful evaluation research has shown that they don't reduce delinquent behavior?

5. Why do you suppose the Rahway Lifers' program was ineffective in reducing delinquent behavior?