THE PAPER CLARIFIES SOME ASPECTS OF THE CONCEPT AND MAIN TYPES OF SECURITY (CHEMICAL, HUMAN, AND PHYSICAL), AND CONSIDERS THE JUSTIFICATIONS ADVANCED FOR PLACING CHILDREN IN SECURE INSTITUTIONS: 'UNRULINESS,' SHORTAGE OF SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION, AND PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC. FACTORS WHICH MUST LIMIT THE USE MADE OF SECURITY INCLUDE COST, EFFECTIVENESS, AND THE NEED TO PROTECT ESSENTIAL STANDARDS OF HUMANENESS AND CIVIL RIGHTS. AMONG THE OBJECTIVES OF SECURITY ARE PREVENTION OF ABSCONDING BEFORE TRIAL, ASSESSMENT, PUNISHMENT, DEALING WITH PERSISTENT OFFENDERS, AND TREATMENT. THE PAPER EXPLAINS THAT THERE IS NO SIMPLE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN CHILDREN WHO DO AND CHILDREN WHO DO NOT HAVE TO BE LOCKED UP, BUT THAT SECURE ESTABLISHMENTS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE CONTEXT OF OTHER FACILITIES FOR COPING WITH PROBLEM YOUNGSTERS, SINCE BETTER DEVELOPMENT OF THESE COULD RELIEVE THE PRESSURE FOR SECURITY. CRITERIA WHICH SHOULD BE MET BEFORE CHILDREN CAN BE PLACED IN A SECURE UNIT AND A PROCEDURE FOR REGULARLY REVIEWING THE PLACEMENT ARE PROPOSED. THE PAPER SUGGESTS LOOKING AT THE NEGLECTED PROBLEM OF SECURE ROOMS WITHIN OPEN COMMUNITY HOMES AND THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN THEM. THE NEED FOR CLEARLY DEFINED OBJECTIVES, BETTER ESTIMATES OF NUMBERS AND COSTS, AND A CONSTANT ATTEMPT TO USE NONINSTITUTIONAL METHODS IS STRESSED. REFERENCES AND AN APPENDIX PRESENTING THE STATUTORY POSITION OF CHILDREN IN COMMUNITY HOMES ARE INCLUDED.