AS A RESULT OF THE SERIOUS JUVENILE DELINQUENCY ISSUE, THE DELINQUENCY SYSTEM AS A WHOLE AND SECURE CARE TREATMENT INTERVENTION STRATEGIES IN PARTICULAR ARE CURRENTLY UNDER CRITICISM. THREE FACTORS GIVE IMPETUS TO THE SITUATION. FIRST, THE SYSTEM AND ITS STRATEGIES ARE IN QUESTION REGARDING THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AS MEANS OF REHABILITATING YOUTH AND CURBING RECIDIVISM. SECOND, THE DEMANDS OF THE PUBLIC FOR LAW AND ORDER AND FOR 'TIGHTENING UP' THE DELINQUENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS HAVE RESULTED IN MORE CRITICAL EVALUATIONS. THIRD, THE RELUCTANCE OF FISCAL DECISION MAKERS TO APPROPRIATE THE LEVEL OF FUNDING REQUIRED BY DELINQUENT YOUTH PROGRAMS HAS RESULTED IN UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS IN MANY COMMUNITIES. THESE THREE FACTORS POINT TO A REACTIONARY APPROACH IN DEALING WITH DELINQUENCY, AN APPROACH THAT IS LIKELY TO BE CONTRARY TO THE DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION, COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES PHILOSOPHY ADOPTED SUCCESSFULLY BY MANY STATES, INCLUDING MASSACHUSETTS. REACTIONARY APPROACHES COULD RESULT IN LOWERING OF THE MINIMUM AGE AT WHICH THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER IS PROSECUTED AS AN ADULT CRIMINAL, SENTENCING OF YOUTHS TO SECURE FACILITIES FOR A DETERMINATE PERIOD, DIVESTING POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY FROM YOUTH SERVICES AGENCIES, REGULATING YOUTH SERVICES THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE REORGANIZATION, POSSIBLY UNDER ADULT CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES, AND RETURNING TO MORE CENTRALIZED INSTITUTIONAL-TYPE FACILITIES. FOOTNOTE REFERENCES AND AN ORGANIZATIONAL FLOW CHART ARE PROVIDED IN THE ARTICLE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)