While both countries have legislation that emphasizes an ameliorative and rehabilitative approach to young offenders, Poland has seen large reductions in the number of juveniles processed through the courts and greatly increased use of noncustodial dispositions both before and after World Wars I and II and particularly, between 1965 and 1975. In England and Wales, the trend has been reversed. A key feature of Poland's juvenile justice system has been a move toward using civil court processes with young offenders, similar to arrangements in Scotland, and an emphasis on the use of least restrictive dispositional options. It is suggested that the persistence of more punitive approaches in England and Wales is associated with a lay magistracy that takes a fearful, pessimistic, and perhaps class-oriented view of young people that results in actions designed to prevent them from challenging the existing social order. In contrast, Poland has a more optimistic view of its youth, having looked to them as a means of salvation from occupation and oppression. 3 tables. (Author abstract modified)