NCJ Number
116798
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 51 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1989) Pages: 220-221
Date Published
1989
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The Juvenile Detention Committee (JDC) of the American Correctional Association has developed a definition of detention that will, for the first time, set uniform expectations for detention centers across the country.
Abstract
The definition was unanimously endorsed at the American Correctional Association's 1988 Congress of Correction at Denver. The definition states that 'Juvenile detention is the temporary and secure custody of children accused or adjudicated of conduct subject to the jurisdiction of the family/juvenile court who require a physically restricting environment for their own or the community's protection while pending legal action. Further, juvenile detention provides and maintains a wide range of helpful services that include, but are not limited to, the following: education, visitation, private communications, counseling, continuous supervision, medical and health care, nutrition, recreation, and reading. To advise the court on the proper course of action required to restore the child to a productive role in the community, detention also includes or provides a system for clinical observation and diagnosis that compliments the wide range of helpful services.' In explaining this definition, this article focuses on the terms 'physically restricting environment,' 'temporary,' 'pending legal action,' 'community protection,' 'secure custody,' 'helpful services,' and 'clinical observation and diagnosis.'