NCJ Number
212742
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 72 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2005 Pages: 88-91
Date Published
December 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the rationale for and the features of a juvenile holdover program, which is generally defined as "a community-based, short-term, temporary holding program for youths who do not meet detention criteria."
Abstract
Officers encounter a number of children who need a safe place to stay until a responsible adult is available to provide assistance. Such youth can include victims of abuse or neglect, runaways, and children of arrested parents or guardians who need a place to stay until a responsible family member can be reached. There will also be occasions when youth have committed minor offenses--such as curfew and loitering violations, marijuana possession, disorderly conduct, and underage drinking--and require a place to stay under supervision until a parent or guardian can be located and arrive to help in resolving the situation. Another situation that may require an administrative holdover is when an officer needs to hold a juvenile in order to complete an investigation. Thus, holdover facilities provide a place for juveniles to be safe under constant supervision by professional staff or trained volunteers until a responsible family member is available. The facility should be comfortable for an overnight stay and provide a meal, a bed, a shower, and a restroom with appropriate privacy. Holdover facilities have included jails (when there is sight and sound separation from adult inmates), separate areas in juvenile detention centers, administrative areas of the local police station, church basements, rooms in social service agency buildings, nursing homes, and senior housing. This article includes a description of steps in planning and implementing a holdover facility and profiles an Implementation Guide for Juvenile Holdover Programs, with information on how to obtain it.