Penikese is a family-sized program that strives for lasting internal change over temporary behavioral conformity, believing it more effective and less costly to provide individualized rehabilitation rather than cookie-cutter institutional services. On Penikese Island, students and staff live together in a remote and rustic environment that promotes interdependence and improved social skills. Most Penikese students have juvenile records, but Penikese is not a locked facility, does not use mechanical restraints, and is not a boot camp or wilderness experience program. All students must choose Penikese instead of jail; Penikese does not accept students merely wishing to "do time."