The New York State juvenile corrections system has undergone significant change from 1960 to 1983. Following a period of reductions in institutional populations and increases in community-based programs, the State experienced a significant growth in the number of secure facilities and the number of youth housed in secure settings. Rather than resulting from policy reversals, these changes were apparently tied to nationwide trends to discriminate levels of custodial control for various types of youths. Although aware of these nationwide trends, this study focuses on the key policy decisions that account for the changes in the New York juvenile justice system. The study found that juvenile corrections policy is affected by a wide range of factors, including developments at the national, State, and local levels and both direct (e.g., interest group activity) and indirect (e.g., Supreme Court decisions) influences. The sequencing principle, i.e., the concept that changes in both aspired choices and available choices are necessary for change, was supported in this study. The importance of key swing groups was also supported. 14 notes, discussion questions.