2.   The Legislature finds and declares that there is a present need to provide for certain juvenile and young adult offenders a special program of incarceration stressing a highly structured routine of discipline, regimentation, exercise and work therapy, together with substance use disorder and self-improvement counseling, education and an intensive program of aftercare supervision.
 
   The Legislature further finds and declares that such a program would:
 
   a.    Develop positive attitude and behavior traits which will foster the work ethic and contribute to the maturity of the participants by utilizing proven techniques of regimentation and structured discipline;
 
   b.    Foster self-control, self-respect, teamwork and improved work habits for such offenders so as to enable these offenders to return to society as law-abiding citizens;
 
   c.    Provide young adult and juvenile offenders with a rehabilitative experience which will positively influence their behavior and help thwart future criminal activity;
 
   d.    Allow for a more creative use of correctional resources than the simple custody of prisoners;
 
   e.    Reduce corrections costs by shortening stays of incarceration;
 
   f.   Increase an offender's potential for rehabilitation and decrease recidivism by providing a structured, integrated and comprehensive treatment program which includes both an institutional regimen and an intensively supervised aftercare component in the community;
 
   g.    Provide meaningful and productive work opportunities and vocational training to enhance and expand offenders' marketable skills; and
 
   h.    Help to alleviate overcrowding in prisons and juvenile facilities.

   L.1995, c.330, s.2; amended 2023, c.177, s.143.