FOR ABOUT HALF THE YOUTHS, PERIODIC DETENTION WAS MERELY A STEP IN A PROGRESSION OF OFFENDING LEADING TO CUSTODY. THE REQUIREMENT THAT DETAINEES HAD TO SPEND SOME LEISURE TIME AT THE DETENTION CENTER WAS MODERATELY SUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTING OFFENDING AS MANY REOFFENDED BEFORE THEIR SENTENCE EXPIRED. WHEN COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS STUDIES OF OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH DETAINEES, A GREATER PROPORTION OF YOUTHS BOTH REOFFENDED AND RECEIVED CUSTODIAL SENTENCES. OVERALL, 45 PERCENT OF THE YOUTHS AND 34 PERCENT OF THE ADULTS WERE PLACED IN CUSTODY AS A RESULT OF REOFFENDING. A FURTHER 30 PERCENT OF YOUTHS AND 19 PERCENT OF ADULTS RECEIVED NONCUSTODIAL PENALTIES. THE PERIODIC DETENTION PROGRAM WAS ONLY PARTY SUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTING OFFENDING SINCE ABOUT HALF OF THOSE WHO REOFFEND DID SO BEFORE THE END OF THEIR SENTENCE. TABULAR DATA AND NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (MJW)