The methodology was guided by the overall survey information from the 1979 report. A random sample of facility records of 544 children who were in locked detention, JINS shelters, or childrens shelters during 1977 was chosen. Finally, a subsample of 102 cases from among the 544 was selected to obtain a detailed profile of children at risk of placement on a long-term basis. The report concluded that locked detention is misused and overused, that the 1974 juvenile code needs major reform again to bring more protection for youngsters now charged as JINS, and that major changes are needed to bring resources to bear more effectively on behalf of children and families in crisis. Detailed recommendations are given covering the areas of proposed changes in court handling, JINS Shelter, and children's shelter reform, and Division of Youth and Family Services policy and program changes. Tabular data and footnotes are included. Three appendixes contain New Jersey's juvenile code, supplemental tables, and lists of detention and shelter facilities in New Jersey.