The detention homes were located in northern Virginia, Richmond, Norfolk, Newport News, and Tidewater. The authors made brief observations of the facilities, but did not interview line staff at length, did not interview children, and did not review written policies and procedures. Nevertheless, the observations support serious concerns about potential liability in several areas. The homes were all severely overcrowded, with children sleeping in the bathroom in one home. The overcrowding prevents staff from appropriately placing children who would be placed in private rooms due to assaultive behavior or difficulties in groups. Other problems include the use of mechanical restraints, deficiencies in educational programs, inadequate recreational programs, inadequate medical care and mental health services, staff exhaustion and lack of training, serious fire and safety hazards, overrepresentation of minorities, and other problems. Recommended changes to address these problems include more restrictive detention criteria, an increase in non-secure alternatives to detention, and a prohibition on the use of fixed restraints. Additional recommendations and case law citations