A policy implemented in the second half of 1981 by CYA of rejecting many of the more serious commitments from criminal courts was cancelled in September 1982 because of Proposition 8. Thus, shifts in characteristics in 1981 and 1982 must be interpreted in terms of this policy change. Notable highlights are that juvenile court commitments now total 67 percent of total first admissions, ethnic minorities not constitute 68 percent of all new commitments to the CYA, and violent type offenses represent 45 percent of all new commitments.