Some States now lock up larger percentages of children than adults, and juveniles may serve longer sentences than their adult counterparts. In addition, youth are often housed in overcrowded facilities and are sometimes punished in ways that would be unthinkable in State prisons. The juvenile court functioned as society's stern surrogate parent before the changes in State laws that reduced emphasis on rehabilitation, increased the amount of juvenile incarceration, and allowed thousands of children to be tried and sentenced as adults. Juvenile justice officials report that as the country moved toward punishment, services that nurture children, bolster families, or intervene with youth at risk began to diminish. As a result, issues that could or should have been resolved earlier come to juvenile court. In addition, probation officers' caseloads have soared and their effectiveness has declined. Moreover, black youths are far more likely to be incarcerated, largely because white youths often have private health insurance and qualify for private treatment that helps them avoid custody. However, some jurisdictions are reevaluating their strategies and testing alternatives that avoid detention, use small facilities, and provide intense supervision. Case examples