INDEPTH INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH 40 BOYS COMMITTED TO THE COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AUDY HOME FOR JUVENILES; MOST HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR BEFORE AND WERE AWAITING TRIAL ON NEW CHARGES. ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS STRONGLY CONFIRM DAVID MATZA'S THEORY THAT JUVENILES ARE NOT STRONGLY COMMITTED TO ANY ONE TYPE OF BEHAVIOR BUT DRIFT AMONG VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES DEPENDING UPON PEER-GROUP PRESSURE. MOST OF THE BOYS HAD NO INTENTION OF COMMITTING DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR, NOR WERE THEY PARTICULARLY COMMITTED TO LAW-ABIDING BEHAVIOR. OPPORTUNITIES TO STEAL, CARRY GUNS, ETC. PRESENTED THEMSELVES AND WERE SEIZED AS A WAY OF OBTAINING MONEY, MATERIAL GOODS, OR GANG STATUS. 'DO-GOODERS' WERE OFTEN ALLOWED TO HANG AROUND WITH THE GANG IF THEY WERE CONSIDERED A LOT OF FUN. THESE 'DO-GOODERS' OFTEN WATCHED THE CLUB SITE WHILE THE REST OF THE GANG WAS OFF COMMITTING SOME CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. NONE OF THE BOYS HAD A CLEAR IDEA OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND ALL FELT THEY WERE VICTIMIZED BY THE POLICE AND COURTS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENTIRE JUVENILE LEGAL PROCESS BE EXAMINED IN LIGHT OF THIS FINDING. THE INFORMALITY OF JUVENILE HEARINGS OFTEN LEADS TO CAPRICIOUS ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW. OFTEN THE JUVENILE HAS LITTLE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS. THE LAW SHOULD BE SPELLED OUT CLEARLY FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND PARENTS. IF PUNISHMENT IS MANDATED, IT SHOULD NOT TURN CHILDREN INTO CRIMINALS BY LABELING THEM AS CRIMINALS. MANY STUDIES HAVE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHILD ONCE ADJUDGED DELINQUENT OFTEN GOES ON TO ADULT CRIMINALITY. HOWEVER, THE CHILD WHO ESCAPES THE LEGAL SYSTEM USUALLY BECOMES A LAW-ABIDING ADULT AS MARRIAGES, JOBS, MILITARY SERVICE, AND OTHER PRESSURES BREAK UP THE TEENAGE GANG. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REFORM SCHOOLS BE REPLACED BY COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT CENTERS WITH VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND 'RAP' SESSIONS TO HELP BREAK THE DELINQUENCY PATTERN. SUCH PROGRAMS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER RECIDIVISM RATES THAN TRADITIONAL JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. (GLR)