The Evidence Enigma

This book explores the questions of why policy makers sometimes adopt policies that are not supported by evidence and how scholars and practitioners can encourage policymakers to listen to research. In exploring these questions, this book presents a fascinating case study of a policy that did not work, yet spread rapidly to almost every state in the United States: the policy of correctional boot camps. Examining the claims on which the implementation of the policy were based, including the assertions that such boot camps would reduce reoffending, save public money and ease overcrowding - none of which proved to be universally accurate - The Evidence Enigma also investigates the political, economic, cultural, and other factors which encouraged the spread of this policy.