Although the Division of Children and Youth Services (DCYS) has expanded nonresidential, community-based services for youth since 1990, recent data show an increasing number of commitments for crimes against persons. These juveniles generally require longer institutional commitment. The Division is providing services to a larger number of chronic offenders who have been referred to the juvenile justice system a number of times. The Division does not currently have the capacity to maintain these juveniles in residential care for the necessary length of time. Statistics show that nearly 9 out of 10 youths committed were boys, and less than 40 percent of the youths committed were from minority groups. Approximately one out of four youths were committed for crimes against a person. Thirty-four percent of the juveniles committed had a history of drug use. Sixty percent of youths committed were living in a single-parent family at the time of their commitment. Nine out of 10 discharges from custody were satisfactory discharges. Approximately one out of 10 commitments to custody was a recommitment, and the average age of committed youths was 15.1 years old. Thirty- nine percent were referred to a juvenile court before they were 13 years old. 13 figures and 2 tables