Artist Statement: “Boot Camp for Boys” is meant to peek into the private youth prisons that have partially replaced the government run youth prisons and detention facilities in many states. They are often run with little accountability to the outside world, with minimal to no licensing and regulation. Youth have died in these facilities. My work is inspired by my clients and their families, their struggles and stories, amalgamated into a narrative about a theme or situation they all experience. I hope that I honor their courage and spirit.

‘Boot Camp for Boys,’ 2013

KEVIN CHARLES is a licensed clinical social worker working with juvenile offenders in the Bay Area. His other social work-based comics have appeared in Matador Review, betterdrawn.org, BAM Too! and Rocketbot.