I note that in New Jersey the Taxpayer is budgeted to pay $281,835 per year to incarcerate a child. (Page D-265 of the FY19BudgetBook).
That sort of money is a symptom of a failed system and should be starting a real debate about alternatives.
I also note that racial disparities
plague the youth justice system, where despite similar misbehavior rates a black child is 30 more likely to be detained or committed than a white child.