The followup study focused on 2,140 randomly selected males who were released in 1984 and were followed for 24 months. Results revealed that the California system not only incarcerates and incapacitates juvenile delinquents but also reduces delinquent behavior during the 24-month followup period. The camp system also provides institutional programs for some youths who, in the absence of local camps and alternatives to those camps, would probably be committed to State institutions. More successful camps were often, but not always, smaller and less crowded than other camps. Youths were housed in individual rooms rather than dormitories and were assigned to programs on a relatively individualized basis. These camps also offered higher-than-average amounts of counseling, academic training, physical activities, and community contact. Appended table and 7 references