History

Wisconsin had a statutorily mandated juvenile boot camp since March of 1996. In March of 2002, the Youth Leadership Training Center at Camp Douglas was closed due to fiscal constraints.   A modified version of the juvenile boot camp program was transferred to Lincoln Hills School. The program has been redesigned as the 90-Day Cadet Achievement Program (CAP).  The format is a transitional design.  The statue no longer mandates the enactment of 2003 WI Act 33, however, CAP continues to operate as a distinct and separate short-term and or transition program.

Entry Into CAP

CAP is designed for mentally stable and physically capable male youth between 14 and 17 years of age under correctional supervision. Youth may be referred from a JCI or have a Direct Commitment by a juvenile court order. A youth voluntarily agrees to participate in CAP. LHS staff screen all referred youth for appropriateness for the program.

Program Description

Goal

CAP is a challenging short-term, cost-effective alternative to other DJC programs. CAP is a highly regimental structure.  The voluntary program uses a developmental military model to create a positive, successful structed  environment. Youth will learn the values of education, self-discipline, physical fitness, hard work, leadership, teamwork, and community service.

It is the intent of the Cadet Achievement Program to prepare youth for successful family and community reintegration by building on their educational achievements, personal competencies, and ability to work within a team environment.

Components

CAP includes a concentrated regimen of the following components:

Institution Phase

• Youth selected for the program will be involved in structured programming 16 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Up to four groups (platoons) for a total of 50 youth can be accommodated at any point in time.
• All on-ground components of the program are housed in the CAP living unit (Langston Hughes Cottage), a separate education center, and other segregated areas within Lincoln Hills School. CAP youth do not participate in services and programming with other LHS youth.
• The final component of CAP at LHS requires youth to participate in community service work crew activities.
• Youth may enter CAP at anytime resulting in youth within a platoon being at different levels at one time.

Community Phase

 Cadets must enter CAP with a complete pre-determined plan to transition into the community. Family re-integration is a focus of CAP throughout the 90-day program. The agency (county or state) normally responsible for aftercare in the county will also be responsible for supervision of youth upon release from CAP. This is in contrast to previous state law and DJC policy, under which state supervision for the initial 45-60 days post-release from CAP was required.

A county that wishes to request state supervision of a post-CAP youth on an exception basis may do so by contacting the DJC regional community supervision office.