Crime is essentially a male phenomenon: 13% of the cases on record were committed by youth ages 15 to 19 years. Nonetheless, criminal activity is not very widespread among the young population. Data is not available on the prevalence of violence or abuse of any type against children and youth in the state.

In 1993, 290 young people entered the Consejo Tutelar para Menores (Guardian Board for Minors: the prison for minors), of whom 257 (88.6%) are males and 33 (11.4%) females. Crime increases with age; 37 were under 10 years, 122 were 10 to 14 years, and 131 were youth 15 to 18 years.