One Justice Department analysis found the camps had a positive effect on inmates’ attitudes, behavior and safety while in prison. But for some inmates, the atmosphere and shorter sentences may be better than several years in prison. Many members of the staff say they are changing lives in a way that happens nowhere else in the state’s prison system. At Moriah, staff and inmates praise the program, saying inmates are busy instead of languishing in a cell. ENLARGESuch programs used to be widespread, but fell out of favor in much of the country amid debate about their effectiveness.

Source: Wall Street Journal July 31, 2016 15:33 UTC