The paper contains a history of the John Howard Society in matters relating to youth and traces briefly the extensive development and breadth of service which the organization provides. The major part of the paper examines the specific Alternative Measures as legislated in the 1984 Young Offenders Act. The paper is intended to help focus discussions within the Society regarding the advantages and effectiveness of various forms of alternative measures, and the directions, if any, that the Society should take in the promotion and delivery of alternative measures services. The paper reviews: (1) the Society's background of interest in young offenders; (2) the formal Alternative Measures programs specified in the Young Offenders Act; (3) the various types of services and programs that are often described as alternative measures; (4) the rationale for priorities of the Society in its service to young offenders; and (5) possible courses of action for the Society. Figure, endnotes, references, appendixes