The issue of crime among juveniles is a major burden in society because it creates the probability of the repetition of criminal offenses in adulthood. In addition to the growing concern of juvenile delinquency, the criminal justice system should be aware of alternative solutions that are also essential in the reduction of juvenile crime. It is evident that juvenile rehabilitation programs are beneficial in multiple areas and they are able to rehabilitate juveniles in a manner that is more effective than the correctional facilities.
The area of corrections is one of the three main components of the criminal justice system as the remainders consist of the courts and law enforcement. Some hardships that are occurring due to the use of facilities are inappropriate placement, budgets, and overcrowding with more serious offenders. Juveniles should be accurately assessed so those that have a high probability of success in a non-resident environment are not sent to an expensive facility. The view of correctional facilities as the answer to every delinquent issue has gradually eliminated the perception of juvenile programs in many places. Furthermore, the funds that are used to maintain the facilities could be directed towards the establishment of juvenile rehabilitation programs.

A juvenile facility in the state of Texas has an estimated cost of two hundred and seventy dollars a day which is nearly four times the cost to maintain a supervision program. Also, the Chief Justice Carole Hunstein of Georgia recommended legislators to reduce the diversion of juveniles with less dangerous behavior into facilities with more serious offenders and to utilize the community programs. A bill was also passed which enables judges to send juveniles with non-violent behavior to community programs which is a great alternative to the near max security facilities.

The programs should incorporate mediation between victim and offender, vocational training, and mentoring to increase the value in these programs. It would allow juveniles to obtain licenses in various occupations which still have demand in the present economy and it prevents the likelihood of repetition crimes such as robbery, burglary, larceny, and assault.

Juvenile delinquent programs are an excellent alternative to correctional facilities because many juvenile offenders are housed with offenders of a more serious nature and it has a subliminal effect on those juveniles. The costs to maintain a juvenile program is significantly lower than a correctional facility and it provides opportunities to obtain a skill that is productive in the economy. However, the most important benefit of the juvenile program is the reduction of recidivism because the goal is to prevent a juvenile offender from becoming an adult criminal.