The official rationale for jailing juveniles is to protect society and to protect the juveniles from themselves. The actual effect on the juvenile is the infliction of a variety of psychological and physical harms. Juvenile inmates may be victimized by other inmates and guards, and confinement conditions can cause long-term emotional problems. Additionally, most jails have no educational or recreational facilities or programs geared towards juveniles. The jailing of juveniles must be viewed as cruel and unusual punishment considering their status. Alternatives to placing juveniles in adult jails include the use of 48-hour holding facilities only for juveniles, home detention, evening report centers, receiving homes, and detention homes. 170 footnotes.