The study looked at the entire population of incarcerated youth in Saskatchewan's three youth detention facilities on two separate days--July 15, 1997, and January 15, 1998. For 129 youths detained in custody on these two dates, detention length was calculated from their initial admission to their discharge or sentencing. Youths from rural areas, males, and violent offenders were detained the longest. Almost 10 percent of the sample served detention periods in excess of 6 months, while 3 youths served detention periods exceeding 465 days. The long-term detained youths presented considerable challenges for detention center practitioners. Economic, social, and policy implications of the study findings are discussed. 35 references, 2 notes, 2 tables, and 1 figure