Cook County Sheriff's Boot Camp

Physical Training
Starting at 5:50am every morning, the entire camp participates in a demanding exercise regimen. Designed to improve the physical health of the participants and promote a sense of discipline, the training also improves stress management skills and productivity levels of the inmates.

Drill and Ceremony
Each class of inmates is separated and assigned to platoons in which they are trained. The platoons compete against each other in drills designed to display discipline and promote team unity.

Education
Immediately upon arrival at the Boot Camp, each inmate takes a basic educational achievement test to assess their level of ability in math and reading. Each inmate is then assigned to an educational track according to their skill level. Literacy courses, GED training, English as a Second Language classes, and basic computer skills training are among the educational programs offered.

Vocational Skills
The vocational program offers eligible inmates a computer recycling class through a partnership with West Side Technical Institute. Chicagoland Prison Outreach has partnered with the Boot Camp to offer a class that prepares selected inmates to take the written carpenter’s apprentice examination. Aramark teaches a food preparation class and offers placement to inmates who successfully complete their program. A job readiness program also is taught to our inmates preparing them for employment after graduation.

Substance Abuse Prevention
Many of the Boot Camp inmates are drug offenders who have substance abuse problems. They will receive traditional drug and alcohol abuse counseling and learn skills that will help them remain drug free after graduation from the Boot Camp.

General Counseling
Each platoon has a counselor who meets with the inmates on a daily basis on a platoon and/or individual basis. The counselors assist the inmates in coping with the high-stress environment of Boot Camp and living in a platoon setting. The counselors prepare the inmates for the transition back into their communities in the post-release phase of the program.

Post Boot Camp Supervision
Each graduate of the in-camp phase of Boot Camp is required to serve eight months of post-release. They serve the first month of the eight months on Boot Camp electronic monitoring and must report to the Boot Camp on a daily basis.

All graduates are monitored for substance abuse during the eight-month period and have access to substance abuse recovery counseling. Additionally, the graduates are allowed to continue their GED training if they did not successfully complete the program while detained in the Boot Camp.

The Post Release phase of the program is designed to slowly ease graduates back into society by reinforcing the values and beliefs acquired during their Boot Camp participation. It is hoped that this reintegration process will prevent recidivism and help Boot Camp graduates become productive members of the community.