Contrary to the claim, rigorous systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized trials have consistently shown that Scared Straight programs do not reduce criminal activity and actually increase the likelihood of future offending.
The claim asserts that Scared Straight programs reduce criminal activity. Multiple high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (e.g., Petrosino et al., 2002; Petrosino et al., 2013) directly examine this claim and find the exact opposite: participation in Scared Straight programs significantly increases subsequent delinquency and criminal behavior compared to control groups. No retrieved papers support the claim, leading to a REFUTED verdict.