Community-based programs are recommended to provide young people with education and therapy that will prepare them for re- entry into the community. Although the actual number of serious juvenile offenders is small, violent crimes highly publicized by the media have led State legislators to enact various mandatory and determinate sentencing laws that focus on institutionalizing juvenile offenders. Consequently, overcrowding has resulted and community-based sanctions may be necessary. Several State approaches to community-based corrections for juveniles are described, and the role of race and poverty in the commission of crimes by juveniles is addressed.