Scared Straight programs were established in the US in the 1970s. The programs involved law enforcement officials taking at-risk youth to prisons to show them what life would be like for them if they were ever to be incarcerated. While these programs are good intentioned, studies over the years have shown that they are ineffective.
One study, done by Anthony Petrosino and the researchers at the Campbell Collaboration, looked at results from nine different Scared Straight programs.They found that the programs actually increased crime by 28% compared to a control group that did not go through the program.
The US Congress reviewed 500 different crime prevention programs and put the Scared Straight program in the "does not work" category.Despite this evidence, these programs continue to be used throughout the US.