In 1946 a juvenile detention specialist identified five significant emerging developments: an accepted definition of juvenile detention, control of admissions to detention facilities, special facilities for juvenile detention, improved programs for youth in detention, and support for regional detention. Another juvenile detention expert, speaking at a 1970 conference, noted the problem of overcrowding in juvenile detention facilities. The 1990 conference on juvenile detention issues held by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in Las Vegas also identified five critical issues for juvenile detention in the 1990's. They are the need for a definition of juvenile detention, crowding, liability associated with juvenile detention, lack of resources for detention programming, and a crisis in staff recruitment and development. The similar list of juvenile detention issues over some 40 years reveals the absence of progress. This is due to the failure of detention practitioners to address and act upon the critical issues, the secrecy associated with juvenile court policies, and the failure of social scientists to analyze and criticize juvenile detention. There is a need for research whose findings will be implemented in practitioners' policies. 14 references