The defining characteristic of boot camps is physical exercise in the context of a military regimen. The assumption is that such exercise reduces delinquent behavior. This analysis shows that the apparent failure of boot camp prisons can be attributed to the lack of any theoretical explanations for why exercise should decrease criminality. Specifically, through an examination of the relevant criminological, psychological, social-psychological, and physiological theories, there is little theoretical support for boot camps. These programs should be re- evaluated, especially with respect to the use of exercise and physical labor to facilitate the reduction of delinquent behavior. There are nonetheless favorable aspects of prison boot camps; for example, those boot camp programs that have been most effective use counseling techniques more often than exercise programs. If society is going to use juvenile boot camps as an alternative to traditional incarceration, those components most typical of the programs, exercise and physical labor, should be reduced, and counseling should be emphasized. 11 notes and 71 references