Again, there is not just one reason why parents feel the system is not helping. Changing behavior is difficult. Change depends on how much a youth and also his parents are motivated. Many times neither the youth nor the parents really want to change themselves just the other person. The cost of supporting a child in a 24 hour placement can be very expensive and more and more youth are entering the system.
Parents are generally responsible for only a small portion of the total cost.
The State does place many youth in secure restrictive settings. It has been proven to be effective and cost efficient to use the least restrictive environment that is consistent with public safety and protection of the community in habilitating youth. Many times with maturity comes a different outlook along with assuming more responsibility. The primary purpose of Youth Corrections is to provide a continuum of supervision and rehabilitation programs which meet the needs of youthful offenders in a manner consistent with public safety. These services and programs will individualize treatment plans and control the youthful offender for the benefit of the youth and the protection of society in a more cost effective means of utilizing resources and is more beneficial for a majority of the youth than a lock up system.