Shock of their lives
Boot-camp-style corrections program intense, fast-paced
By Schuyler Kropf
Photo Gallery
Shock
A look inside the Shock Incarceration Program in which several former Wando High School students are expected to serve their time for the armed robbery of a Mount Pleasant Food Lion.
Previous stories
Seven youths get prison, published 07/23/08
Seven teens plead guilty in robbery published 12/20/07
Armed robbery, 10-year prison sentences and the downfall of two Wando High School teens: How did this happen? published 02/10/08
Two teens, two holdups, two choices published 1/12/08
COLUMBIA — A drill instructor barks out baritone military commands of "Atten-shun!" and "Pah-rade rest!"
"Sir, yes, sir!," respond some 40 teens, all shaved bald, standing rigid and looking slightly dazed.
This is the state's Shock Incarceration Program, where some of the former Wando High School students convicted as "look-outs" in the 2006 armed robbery of a Food Lion grocery are expected to end up.
The program is intense and fast-paced. But if the inmates behave, they can graduate and be released to go home in as few as 90 days.
The Shock program is specific to first-time offenders ages 17-29. It is run inside a prison on the outskirts of the state capital, enrolling about 120 youths at a time.
The "shock" is the intensity of the regimen, which is nothing short of paramilitary. Inmates are up at 4 a.m. to begin a day of constant exercise, school classes, spiritual leadership, anger management and counseling of all types.
"Lights out" comes 18 hours later, at 10 p.m.
In between, there will be labor assignments, such as picking watermelons and peppers in the fields, or moving desks and furniture at the State Law Enforcement Division headquarters.
Program officials say keeping the inmates active and focused on self-improvement is the key.
"Not allowing idle time," said Lisa Engram, the Shock Incarceration coordinator at Stevenson Correctional Institution.
The course is designed to scare first-timers straight. There is no second chance. Hard prison time is a possible next step.
It is too early to say how many of the seven Food Lion robbery conspirators recently sentenced as accessories will get into the program. Each is being evaluated, mentally and medically, elsewhere by the Department of Corrections for possible admission. That usually takes 15-30 days.
Statistically, the chance for most to get enrolled appears good. Last year, 471 youths were accepted, while only 58 were rejected.
Some of the former Wando students had minor brushes with the law, including underage drinking, after their initial arrests. It is not clear whether those brushes will affect their chances of enrollment.
Those who do not qualify for Shock, based on their involvement, likely will serve youthful offender terms of 12 to 18 months if they are well-behaved, defense attorneys have said.
An eighth conspirator in the robbery will be sentenced later. Two leaders in the fall 2006 crime spree earlier were sentenced to 10 years behind bars. They will have to serve at least 85 percent of those sentences.
Inside the Shock barracks, all inmates wear dungarees and faded blue work shirts with the word "SHOCK" stenciled on the back. Exercise is done right on the barracks floor, where rows of bunk-beds are set against the wall, allowing space to do push-ups, jumping jacks and instruction on the proper way to do a military "about-face."
The inmates run or march everywhere, including to the chow line.
"Let's go! You got about 10 seconds to get out there," one corrections officer yells at the sluggish.
Engram said the Shock program is under-utilized even as about 500 youths take part every year.
"The families that know and the attorneys that know are using it," she said.
Many of the officers in charge are ex-military. Starting pay is around $24,000. If one of them catches an inmate acting up, the response is a positive "spot-corrective action," meaning push-ups, loss of privileges or other discipline. Still, positive reinforcement is the goal.
So is pride. During a press tour Thursday, one instructor said he was "embarrassed" by the group's conduct when a lieutenant came by for review. Two inmates who did not conduct a drill to satisfaction were made to do push-ups.
Statistics on the success rate of the program weren't available, but officials say the youthful offender recidivism rate is around 30-45 percent, usually by a parole violation.
Engram said the strengths of Shock are the number of youths being helped and its emphasis on teaching that success can be achieved outside of crime.
"I think we're heading them off before they got bad," she said. "A lot of these guys have never completed anything in their life."
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Comments
navywrslr (anonymous) says...
There are many young men and women who do this same schedule every day,but they never commited a crime,they are serving in the Military at boot camp in preperation to defend this country. Why should criminals be given a chance to shorten there sentence?,are they doing anything to make the life of their victims better?
I think they should serve the full time to the last minute.
August 1, 2008 at 3:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ForPnC (anonymous) says...
These boys have gained in shame what our military men and women hope to achieve with PRIDE.
August 1, 2008 at 4:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
TROOPS..........
This is the PERFECT location to place OUR state Legislators!!
"I think we're heading them off before they got bad," she said. "A lot of these guys have never completed anything in their life."
Gov. Mark Sanford....New Mission!
Have all Legilators to spend the rest of their SUMMER BREAK at this facility to get a real understanding of what it takes to do SOMETHING?? At least they would demonstrate teamwork to the students there and hopefully start setting an example! Mr. Jake "Snotty" KNOTTS is to be the FLAG BEARER of the troop!
August 1, 2008 at 4:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lou9 (anonymous) says...
Once the Pest and Curious is taking the liberal stance, making it sound like these criminals are going to have it so bad in this "boot camp" that they don't deserve jail time for what they did. What a load of bull. They should serve jail time first and then this.
August 1, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
nah, keep the 4am-10pm hours.
i like the idea behind this program; a sort of "rehabilitation" into society. But 90 days is not enough. It needs to be no less than a year. And far from home, no care packages from mommy. And a whole lot of community service. And no, moving desks and furniture should not count.
August 1, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BigSargeofSC (anonymous) says...
"Some of the former Wando students had minor brushes with the law, including underage drinking, after their initial arrests. It is not clear whether those brushes will affect their chances of enrollment."
These idiots just don't get it, do they? Just send their sorry azzes on prison and let them sit there for a bit. Stupids..
August 1, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lucy_fan (anonymous) says...
I agree with nikkiP. 90 days is not enough. And definitely no care packages from Mommy.
August 1, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
Bah, yes. Have then follow the horses around, but they have to wear some ridiculous page-boy outfit. Prison jumpsuit will just ruin the general ambiance of downtown Charleston.
And they can only sell italian ice if they participate in the boxing.
August 1, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lexylady (anonymous) says...
It is my opinion that their parents should have been the ones that taught them how to act in society. If they had done their job, the "Shock" jocks wouldn't have to do theirs.
August 1, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
Yeah, but if we can get something useful out of these kids, it'll probably work out better in the end.
Peddle rickshaws. And their first customer will weight no less than 250lbs.
August 1, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Last year 471 youths were accepted into the program.
Why does it take young men from Mt. Pleasant to finally have a story written about this program? Are they so much more interesting or different from other offenders in this state?
I'm just curious.
August 1, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I agree 90 days isnt enough.As for the no care packages from Mommy I agree.But do you guys realize in prison your family not only can visit you often,they can bring care packages galore,give you money,have picnics with you etc etc?In some ways this shock program is stricter than prison.Prison is full of lazy down time and a sense of entitlement and "rights".No one is taught any respect in prison,if anything it forces some to be more violent just to survive.Prison is no picnic(while at times it is literally)but I wish all prisons were run like this.It would make prison less desirable.Lets face it most criminals are not respectful individuals who have crave structure,hard work or rules.
August 1, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
I think having to wash cars for "MaMa's Used Cars" for 90 days would do the trick, providing it calls for spending 1 hr. per day under MaMa's armpits during the summer months, the hell with deoderent! Criminal activity....forget it.
August 1, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
Coolbeans- excellent point. Maybe have drill-like exercise and keep them busy. Busy, less downtime. And with less town time, less in-prison crime.
You'll have have to hire some very well-armored guards to help in the prisons if they want this kind of reform.
August 1, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I agree Early,I think it will work.Its not designed for career criminals,it seems to be more of an intervention style program.In my opinion we need to implement more of these programs and have students take tours of the facilities to give future punks a clue as to what awaits them.And we shoulnt wait until they commit a major crime to get sent there,lets nip it in the bud.
August 1, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GG (anonymous) says...
So...basically, these thugs got off easy.
BigSarge had the best comment here yet.
Again I say I knew that it was WRONG to commit ARMED ROBBERY when I was 9 years old. These 16-17 year olds knew that too; so, I don't see them as "children," and I think they need the real hard time in real prison.
I would call that the true SHOCK program.
August 1, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
coolbeans and Early- I don't know if this would ever fly, but maybe implement a program like this for high school (maybe even middle school) kids who have truency issues. The ones that are constantly failing classes due to making to attempt with the work and just skipping classes.
August 1, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chucktonian (anonymous) says...
this is a slap on the wrist.
teens that commit armed robbery belong in big boy prison doing 25 to life.
still, there should be a boot camp in every high school. Send all the dopers and white kids who think they're black to it
August 1, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
Posted by Gadsden on August 1, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
then they can move up to becoming itialin ice vendors for another year
If they don't end up robbing the itialin ice vendors before then.
August 1, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
nikkiP-I agree with your idea.My child is in middle school and I personally witnessed 2 arrests last year.I was in the car loop and saw the cop with a kid in cuffs bringing him out the back door.I have no clue how many arrests have occured that I havent seen.I strongly suggested to the school(at least during pick up hours)not to take them out of the back door.I told them I understood their desire for descretion,but they are putting others at risk by performing arrests in that area.Not to mention I don't want my little one to see some kid in cuffs as a norm at a school.She was only 3 at the time-she'd be terrified to go to school.A good idea would be to take the longest route so other punks could see what happens if you get out of line.There is one particular girl who got in 3 different brutal fights and after a couple of days she'd be right back in school.Pitiful.Here's a 3 day vacation and you get to come right back and brag and do it again.And we wonder why so many kids turn into thugs?No fn consequences other than a slap on the wrist.
August 1, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
Oh yes. I remember having so many fights breaking out in high school. Always the same group of kids. The same kids that would skip class, and had consistently failing grades. Programs like this would be perfect for them. It'll get them out of the schools and away from being a distraction to students that care.
August 1, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lk_21 (anonymous) says...
YOA Shock is a great program. When these boys were sentenced...they were probably told not to exceed 6 years or 7 years. They can be in there that long, but if they do good then the 90 days. This program helps these offenders obtain their GED and certificates in different types of trades so they can actually be usefull when they get back in the real world. For those of yall that do not understand the criminal justice program you may not understand this program, but it a really good thing!
August 1, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Middle school is rough now.And we live in supposedly the best district.Ha.Thats a joke.I don't want these thugs around my kid(s).They set no damn example.Be violent,shove a teacher away during the fight and youre right back in school.I just cant afford $20k a year for Ashley Hall.LOL
August 1, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BigSargeofSC (anonymous) says...
The only "boot camp" I've been involved with was at Fort Leanardwood, MO. Eight weeks of joy in the summer sun to earn the right to serve in the US Army. 90 days might do it, might not. Depends on whether or not these criminals want to change. As I've said before, it all comes down to making a choice.
August 1, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Ive been to Ft Leonardwood.Thats a scenic base.
August 1, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dude (anonymous) says...
Sounds like a good idea, but needs to be longer (like a year) and harsher (something more than furniture moving) in order to give them an idea what prison is like instead of what boot camp is like.
August 1, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
STREETLAW (anonymous) says...
Tried this myself at Fort Jackson in the fifties. Not for committing a crime, but because I did something some consider stupid. I volunteered to serve and protect my country.
Will this program help rehabilitate criminals? Well, it can't hurt. Unless, of course, it ultimately produces stronger and smarter crooks.
I suspect, however, these men will be pampered by Army standards. What we went through would be considered cruel and unusual punishment today.
And why no females? Or did I miss that?
August 1, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
because they'd demand special treatment? Like private rooms, less stressful activities and would complain about people getting in their faces?
August 1, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
STREETLAW-Thats what I was thinking.Is there a equal program for females?There definitely should be!
August 1, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
faelady (anonymous) says...
For those who are suggesting they be made to join the USMC - we wouldn't want them! As a former Marine, we work hard to earn the HONOR of being able to wear the eagle, globe, and anchor and to push these CRIMINALS into my Corps would be a slap in the face to those and my brothers and sisters who have served before and since me.
August 1, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
Yes, there should. But it'll be just like what happened with the Citadel. They'll get there and then have everything changed.
August 1, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
Exactly faelady, I don't agree with pushing criminals on to the military. What make them think the Service would want them. If the draft was back maybe, but not today's military.
August 1, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katrenavantassle (anonymous) says...
This shock program is a good idea but I don't personally know if it is doing any good. What are the statistics? How long has this program been in existence?
August 1, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
RW-Great plan!We'll have the gov't print out a "how to" guide(like Mexico did)and chase them across the border.
August 1, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
You forgot giving them GPS devices so they can find their way safely. Just like Mexico does for their people when then hop the border into the US.
August 1, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hartley8184 (anonymous) says...
I bet it's a sissy program. You can't expect REAL things from these people. Chain gang 'em. American justice is a joke.
August 1, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lk_21 (anonymous) says...
There is a program for women also I believe. If you go to sc department of corrections website it explains all the different prison programs.
August 1, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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