Data on juvenile arrests, referrals to court, use of secure detention, and commitments to correctional institutions are examined. The Uniform Crime Reports published in 1976 are the data source. Analysis reveals that decisions affecting youths involved in the juvenile justice process are biased against young women. For example, of all young women in juvenile correctional institutions as of June 30, 1974, 61 percent were incarcerated for status offenses. Only 18 percent of young men were incarcerated for such offenses. This finding prompted investigation of the existence and use of alternative programs for young women, but information on such programs was not readily available. Most of the information was obtained through mail and telephone inquiries carried out over several months. Based upon data analysis and examination of the program descriptions, it is concluded that many local jurisdictions may be unaware of the numbers of young women who are inappropriately processed in their juvenile justice systems. They would probably divert greater numbers of young women from formal processing if they had adequate information on the youths in their systems, including categorization by sex and alleged offense. The majority of young women now incarcerated have not been charged with serious offenses. Readily available information about alternative programs and services for young women would be of assistance to local jurisdictions. The availability of technical assistance on the special problems of developing programs to serve young women would generate more alternative services. An appendix and 86 footnotes are included. (Author abstract modified)