What previous research was reported about scared straight programs prior to Lewis’ evaluation?

3 answers

previous ... to what?

Who's Lewis? Why was he evaluated?
the evaluation of a "Scared Straight" program in California by Lewis (1983).

Prior to Lewis' evaluation, what had previous research reported about scared straight programs?
Read, read, read, and take good notes.

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22scared+straight%22+programs+before+1983&oq=%22scared+straight%22+programs+before+1983&aqs=chrome..69i57.14743j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=119&ie=UTF-8

If you need help learning how to search, including how to choose good search terms, go here and scroll down to the links under HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET:
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/