What Is Juvenile Detention?
According to the board of directors of the National Juvenile Detention Association (NJDA), the definition of juvenile detention is: Juvenile detention is the temporary and safe custody of juveniles who are accused of conduct subject to the jurisdiction of the court who require a restricted environment for their own, or the communitys protection, while pending legal action. Further, juvenile detention provides a wide range of helpful services that support the juveniles physical, emotional, and social development. Helpful services minimally include: education; visitation; communication; counseling; continuous supervision; medical and health care services; nutrition; recreation; and reading. Juvenile detention includes or provides for a system of clinical observation and assessment that compliments the helpful services and reports findings. According to the American Correctional Association (ACA) Juvenile Detention Committee there are seven essential characteristics to juvenile detention.
