The program's major goals are to reduce recidivism and provide a cost-effective treatment option. LEAD was designed in two phases: a 4-month, highly structured boot camp phase and a 6-month intensive parole phase followed by standard parole for any remaining commitment time. The treatment modality encompasses a diversified array of training, counseling, and physically challenging activities; military procedures established in collaboration with the California National Guard; and intensive parole supervision activities, including relapse-management strategies. The LEAD program opened in September 1992. The screening process generated 365 eligible wards through the end of August 1993, 180 of whom were admitted. New groups of 15 wards entered every 28 days throughout the first year. Seventy-one percent of the first 150 wards were graduated and referred to parole after an average of 4 months. The others were usually dropped due to gang-related behavior, assaultive behavior, or lack of motivation. The overall budget was $1,086,300. The analysis revealed that the program has been implemented as specified by the legislation. Further data will be gathered to determine its impacts. It has many promising characteristics as well as areas in which improvement is needed. Recommendations, tables, figures, appended tables and background materials, and 27 references