Juveniles incarcerated in a State with a large population of youthful offenders stayed in large institutions an average of 3 months longer than youths in States with smaller populations resident in smaller institutions. Younger offenders were incarcerated for longer periods of time, and classification systems - such as the Quay and the interpersonal maturity level - were associated with longer stays. Length of stay has shown no consistent relationship with recidivism. Although problems exist with recidivism statistics, these data are still used to evaluate rehabilitation efforts, such as educational and vocational training, counseling, sentencing effects, decarceration, and community treatment. While some success has been realized in individual programs, no clear relationship exists between any program effort and reduced recidivism. Similarly, no relationship was found between incarceration and reduced recidivism. A 21 - item bibliography is included.