Educational Media Reviews Online

This video chronicles the extremely controversial deterrent for juvenile delinquency developed by Sheriff Joe Arpalo of Phoenix, Arizona known as "Smart Tents." It involves incarcerating children who have broken the law, or whose parents feel that they are headed for trouble with the law, by placing them in a prison environment for two days. The children work, eat, live, and talk with the adult inmates, showing them what prison is like, and what is in store for them if they don't clean up their act. Both teachers and parents of the children are incarcerated with them, so that they may share and learn from the experience.

The film focuses on one particular 13-year-old and his mother as they go through the program. Sheriff Arpalo is interviewed a number of times, and his abrasive and vigilante attitude are particularly highlighted through his responses. Given that he has been elected numerous times by the Phoenix community, he feels justified in his programs, and feels that he is only following the will of the people who elect him. Neither the ACLU nor the Justice Department like what he does, but he feels accountable only to his constituents. A very interesting and shocking approach to deter children from committing crime.