THE INCREASE IN A POPULATION COMPOSED OF DIFFERENT SOCIOECONOMIC STRATA, LIMITED LEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR UPWARD SOCIOECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR THE LOWER CLASS, THE LACK OF HEALTHY RECREATIONAL OUTLETS FOR YOUTH, AND THE BREAKDOWN OF TRADITIONAL SOCIAL CONTROLS ARE DISCUSSED AS THE PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE INCREASE IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN HONG KONG. IN RESPONSE TO THIS INCREASE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS FOCUSED ON PREVENTIVE YOUTH PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDE PLAY-LEADERSHIP SCHEMES, DETACHED WORK PROGRAMS, AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK. BELIEVING PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS TO BE POTENTIAL SPAWNING GROUNDS FOR DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR, THE PLAY-LEADERSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES FOR TRAINED RECREATIONAL LEADERS AND YOUTH COUNSELORS TO INTERACT WITH THE YOUTH WHO FREQUENT THESE RECREATIONAL AREAS. 'DETACHED' SOCIAL WORKERS ARE ASSIGNED TO AREAS OF HIGH DELINQUENCY, WHERE THEY ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND NATURAL GROUPS IN AN EFFORT TO INFLUENCE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR. SOCIAL WORKERS ARE ALSO SENT TO SCHOOLS TO WORK IN THAT CONTEXT WITH THOSE HAVING DIFFICULTY IN SCHOOL ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT. HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS EMPHASIZING THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY LIVING AND CITIZEN CRIME PREVENTION RESPONSIBILITIES ARE SPONSORED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE ARE DISCUSSED IN THE AREAS OF PROBATION, CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND AFTERCARE SERVICES. THE FOUR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR BOYS AND THE ONE FOR GIRLS FEATURE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM ELEMENTS: SCHOOL AND TRADE TRAINING, RECREATIONAL AND CREATIVE TRAINING, GROUP LIVING EXPERIENCES, AND CASEWORK AND GROUP COUNSELING. LIMITED DATA ARE PROVIDED ON THE NUMBER AND AGES OF YOUTHS PROSECUTED IN 1976. (RCB)