YAP offered at two State correctional facilities parallel the objectives of New Jersey's 'Scared Straight' program offered at Rahway Prison. A quasi-experimental evaluation of 'Scared Straight' indicated it had subsequent negative effects on program participants compared to controls. The findings of the Rahway evaluation led YAP to shift its emphasis from intimidation and fear-producing tactics to education of clients; however, efforts to camouflage the intimidation contained in the message conveyed to youth exposed to the program are unconvincing. Although placement and screening procedures attempt to screen out those youth who might be harmed by the program, these procedures lack precision and empirical evaluation. Post-exposure reinforcement and alternatives seem confused and uncoordinated. Overall, there is a lack of empirical information on program outcomes related to program processes interacting with client characteristics. Until evidence is provided on outcome and the contingencies affecting it, the public accountability of YAP will suffer.