youth detention centers
Minor offender facilities
Youth detention centers are secure facilities where minors are held after being arrested or adjudicated for criminal offenses—the juvenile equivalent of jails and prisons.
They range from short-term holding facilities to long-term correctional institutions.
Conditions vary widely, and the facilities have faced persistent criticism for abuse, inadequate education, and high recidivism rates among released youth.
Basic biological units
- inmatesIncarcerated individuals
- custodyProtective care or control
- confinementState of being restricted
- guardsProtectors or watchmen
facility · lockup · correctional · holding · warden · remand · juvenile hall · secure unit
Curative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- educationSystematic development of mind
- vocational trainingJob-skill education
- life skillsCompetencies for daily living
reintegration · mentoring · restorative justice · behavior modification · substance abuse treatment · anger management · job readiness · literacy programs
Young person or animal
- offenderOne who breaks rules
- probationSupervised trial period
- misconductImproper professional behavior
- petty crimeMinor legal violation
vandalism · truancy · gangs · runaway · assault · theft · drug offenses · court-ordered
Systematic observation of subjects
- guardsProtectors or watchmen
- fencesBoundary structures around yards
- locksSecurity fastening devices
- camerasVisual recording devices
patrols · checkpoints · monitoring · perimeter · searches · metal detectors · control room · restricted access
Cruel or violent treatment
- overcrowdingCapacity exceeded dangerously
- human rightsInalienable personal freedoms
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
accountability · discrimination · solitary confinement · excessive force · neglect · lawsuits · investigations · whistleblower
cells
Basic biological units
- inmatesIncarcerated individuals
- custodyProtective care or control
- confinementState of being restricted
guards · facility · lockup · correctional · holding · warden · remand · juvenile hall · secure unit · dormitories
therapy
Curative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- educationSystematic development of mind
- vocational trainingJob-skill education
life skills · reintegration · mentoring · restorative justice · behavior modification · substance abuse treatment · anger management · job readiness · literacy programs · case management
juvenile
Young person or animal
- offenderOne who breaks rules
- probationSupervised trial period
- misconductImproper professional behavior
petty crime · vandalism · truancy · gangs · runaway · assault · theft · drug offenses · court-ordered · adjudication
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
cameras · patrols · checkpoints · monitoring · perimeter · searches · metal detectors · control room · restricted access · contraband
abuse
Cruel or violent treatment
- overcrowdingCapacity exceeded dangerously
- human rightsInalienable personal freedoms
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
injustice · accountability · discrimination · solitary confinement · excessive force · neglect · lawsuits · investigations · whistleblower · civil rights violations
youth detention centerspenitentiaries
Institutions housing convicted criminals
youth detention centersfreedom
Absence of constraint
home · public schools · youth clubs · open society · summer camps
youth detention centersyouth shelters
Housing for homeless minors
foster homes · youth centers · summer camps · group homes · safe houses
youthful, youthfully, youthfulness, youths, detaining, detainee, detainees, detention, detentions