In the US-state New York, the juvenile crime rate dropped by 86% over 15 years following the closure of several youth prisons, as reported by the New York Times Magazine. Investigative reports exposing abuse in these prisons triggered public outrage and reform. Policymakers began recognizing that incarceration often worsens outcomes for young offenders. The high cost of incarceration, which can reach up to $250,000 annually per youth, also contributed to the shift toward alternative measures.

Most youth offenses are nonviolent, such as theft, drug possession, and vandalism. Violent crimes like assault are less common, and offenses like homicide are rare. Many minors enter the system due to minor infractions, triggered by poverty and lacking family stability.

Instead of incarceration, alternatives like rehabilitation, community service, mentoring, and vocational training are proving more effective in preventing reoffending. Studies show that juvenile incarceration often increases recidivism and limits future education and job opportunities.

In Luxembourg, youth sentences commonly involve community engagement and counseling rather than prison. The country's youth prison in Dreiborn has only 12 places, but activists criticize the practice of sending youth to adult prisons. To address this, Luxembourg plans to expand the Dreiborn facility to 30 places, though critics warn that increasing capacity may encourage more youth incarceration.

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