According to the 1985-1995 census of public juvenile detention, correctional and shelter facilities, US juvenile detention populaitons have increased by some 72 percent over the past decade, largely as the result of increased rates of detention for minority youth. This significant increase in juvenile detention accounts for the fact that more than 60 percent of youth in juvenile detention are confined in facilities that are operating over capacity. The effects of crowding are detrimental for youth, staff and the community.
Community responses to addressing the problem of crowded juvenile detention facilities vary.
They include adding beds, constructing larger facilities, instituting population caps, and attempting to reduce the number of youths entering the facility and their length of stay. Each of these options has serious short and long-term policy and financial implications. Decisions as to how to approach the problem should be made with care and deliberation, taking into account all available options and developing a comprehensive response.