Although it is clearly stipulated in idealistic terms how juveniles ought to be cared for in State custody, the detention administrator must deal with the practical problems providing this care with limited resources and limited control over who is admitted to and discharged from the facility. When crises inevitably explode at the detention centers, the political focal point is the administrator whose career is put on the line. An analysis of cases in which juvenile detention administrators have resigned shows the major problems to be (1) the inability of the administrator to control the detention population, (2) lack of staff and other resources, (3) an apathetic public and a bureaucracy slow to make reforms, and (4) an unsympathetic news media and higher administrators. Steps that can be taken to neutralize problems before crises occur in detention centers are to establish procedures to control admissions to the detention center, primarily through the application of strict detention criteria; introduce a management-by-objectives plan which provides quantifiable objectives that address the major problems identified; and improve relations with the community and the news media by informing them of successes and problems in the center and how they can help improve its operations. Guidelines are provided for agency and staff goal setting. Footnotes are provided. (Author abstract modified)