K.S.A. 38-544

The youth camp or home shall be in charge of a superintendent who shall be under the supervision of the board of directors. The youths who are placed in the youth camp or home shall be controlled as far as possible through parental care. The youths shall be placed in the public schools if possible, or the boards of county commissioners of the counties party to the joint undertaking may provide for separate instruction within the youth camp or home. The youth camp or home shall supplement the work of the district court and may be used instead of any jail or prison, but it shall be the policy of the judge of the district court, probation officer and the superintendent of the youth camp or home to make the youth camp or home a temporary home, and as soon as possible to provide for the return of youths placed in the youth camp or home to their biological parents, adoptive parents or legal guardians.