Viewed from an overall perspective, youth correctional policies and practices lack clarity and consistency and fail to provide an adequate framework for effective program management. This is true despite 1985 legislation aimed at enacting a juvenile justice master plan in the State. The HYCF continues to fall short in preparing its clients for return to the community. Vocational and educational programs lack comprehensiveness and integration, and there is a lack of cohesion and integration among involved agencies. Family involvement, much less community involvement, in programs is perfunctorily minimal, and little attention is given to transitional services. The underlying confusion and uncertainty concerning the HYCF's central mission also plague its internal management. This has resulted in an inadequate and inconsistent approach to the provision of intake, residential care, food, and recreational services; a failure to integrate rehabilitative efforts with the disciplinary system; and an approach to organization and personnel management (recruitment, training, policy guidance, compensation) that is generally unrelated to coping with and meeting the needs of juvenile wards. Recommendations and responses to findings by affected agencies are included.