Records of 29 inmates under 18-years-old committed to the Utah State Prison from 1959 to 1980 showed that the typical juvenile inmate was white, male, and approximately 16.7-years-old; was convicted for a crime against persons using a weapon; and committed while an escapee or on parole from the State reform school. He could expect to spend about 3.2 years in prison and have a 50 percent chance of recidivating. In interviews, incarcerated juveniles expressed disappointment with the juvenile system, commenting it was not strict enough, changed parole officers too frequently, and did not use enough alternatives prior to certifying as an adult. Most were scared when entering the adult prison and often had to seek alliances with older inmates for protection. Whites had seen sexual assaults and were afraid, but Spanish-Americans were not concerned and even denied that assaults occurred. Older inmates felt juveniles should not be sent to prison, but the prison staff did not see juveniles as particularly disruptive. Despite the negative aspects of prison life, juveniles did have the opportunity to finish high school, learn a trade, and gain some maturity. When asked what advice to give a l5-year-old boy entering the prison, juvenile inmates emphasized the need to stand up for one's self, manipulate the system, and conform to the inmate world. Because this can be particularly difficult for juveniles, these offenders should be separated from the adult inmates. Tables and excerpts from the interviews are included.