This study compared the correlates for risk for suicidal behavior in 81 adolescents in a short-term juvenile detention center against a matched group of 81 adolescent psychiatric inpatients, using a clinical assessment battery of established instruments, including a measure for risk of suicidal behavior. It was found that juvenile detainees and adolescent psychiatric inpatients reported similar levels of distress on measures of suicide risk, depression, impulsivity, and drug abuse. After controlling for depression, impulsivity and drug abuse remained significantly associated with suicide risk scores in the juvenile detention group, but not in the psychiatric inpatient group. For female inpatients who were depressed, hopelessness added significantly to the prediction of suicide risk scores. In conclusion, it is noted that correlates of risk for suicidal behavior in juvenile detainees may differ from those in other high-risk groups. It is suggested that examining impulsivity and history of drug abuse may be helpful when assessing risk for detained adolescents. It is noted that further study of this group of young people is warranted to better determine the nature and extent of risk. A list of references is included.