Data came from 84 juveniles incarcerated in a regional correctional school. They were matched with a sample of nonincarcerated delinquents from the same geographic area. Matching was based on age, sex, and race. Medical histories came from hospital records. Incarcerated delinquent children were significantly more likely than nonincarcerated delinquents to have sustained severe head and face injuries, with differences evident by age 2. Perinatal difficulties and psychiatric impairment were also significantly more prevalent for incarcerated delinquents. Chronically violent incarcerated juveniles had more perinatal difficulties, accidents, injuries, and ward admissions than did their less violent incarcerated peers. The combination of early trauma to the central nervous system, parental psychopathology, and social deprivation correlates with serious and often violent delinquency. Eighteen references are supplied.