THREE BROAD OFFENSE CATEGORIES MAY INDICATE ABNORMALITY: VIOLENCE, SEX OFFENSES, AND A LONG HISTORY OF LAWBREAKING IN WHICH THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE ESCALATES. CUSTODIAL DISPOSITIONS FOR YOUNG MALE OFFENDERS IN ENGLAND INCLUDE THOSE WITHIN THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE AND THOSE WITHIN THE PENAL SYSTEM. ABNORMAL OFFENDERS ARE INCREASINGLY FINDING THEIR WAY INTO THE PENAL SYSTEM BECAUSE HOSPITALS ARE NOT WILLING TO ADMIT PERSONS WITH A HISTORY OF ACTING OUT BEHAVIOR. THE PURPOSE OF CUSTODY IS TO CONTROL, COMMUNICATE, AND CARE. THE TASK OF SENTENCERS IS TO WEIGH THE NEEDS OF OFFENDERS AGAINST PUBLIC NEEDS. AN ELEMENT OF CONTROL AND OPPORTUNITY FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION CAN BE PROVIDED IF OFFENDERS ARE PLACED IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT NEAR INDIVIDUALS BEST ABLE TO HELP THEM. IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE INSTITUTIONAL REGIMEN, CHANGES IN THE WAY OFFENDERS RELATE TO OTHERS CAN BE EFFECTED, PARTICULARLY BY SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS. INSTITUTIONS CAN OFFER APPROPRIATE MEDICAL SERVICES AND TEACH INDIVIDUALS HOW TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT SINCE ABNORMAL YOUNG OFFENDERS ARE OFTEN PHYSICALLY ILL AND ARE NEARLY ALWAYS ACCIDENT PRONE. ADEQUATE MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AND HEALTH EDUCATION ARE ESSENTIAL, BUT TREATMENT WITH PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS MUST BE USED WITH CAUTION SINCE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE INDULGE IN ILLEGAL DRUGS IN THE COMMUNITY. MEDICATION TO CHANGE THE OFTEN DEPRESSED MOOD OF YOUTH BROUGHT TO INSTITUTIONS AND TO DEAL WITH PSYCHOTIC BEHAVIOR CAN BE EFFECTIVELY ADMINISTERED. (DEP)