Boot camps under fire

PANAMA CITY, Florida (CNN) -- Boot camp is often the last chance for troubled teen-agers on the verge of hard prison time. But a series of high profile incidents have put camps across the country under intense scrutiny.

Boot camps for juveniles started in the mid-1980s. Because of their get-tough image, the camps became very popular and popped up all over the country.

But in recent years, bad publicity and questions of effectiveness have forced some states, such as Maryland and Georgia, to shut down their boot camps.

VIDEO CNN's Ed Lavandera takes a trip to boot camp (August 2) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

CNN's Ed Lavandera reports from a boot camp in Panama City, Florida.