RESEARCH FOR THIS STUDY WAS CARRIED OUT THROUGH ONSITE VISITS TO THE LARGE SECURE DETENTION UNITS OPERATED AS PART OF THE ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF VISITS WERE MADE TO SMALLER SECURE FACILITIES SUCH AS REMAND CENTERS, BORSTALS, DETENTION CENTERS, AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS. ALL WERE FACILITIES FOR BOYS SINCE GIRLS' FACILITIES ARE NEITHER LARGE ENOUGH NOR USED FREQUENTLY ENOUGH TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL STATISTICS. THE STUDY COVERS CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG MALES IN SECURE FACILITIES, USE OF SECURE UNITS AS A SAFETY VALVE FOR THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, PRESENTING BEHAVIOR OF BOYS COMMITTED (VIOLENCE, ABSCONDING, CONVICTED OF A GRAVE OFFENSE), AND THE OPERATION OF THE UNITS. THE OPERATIONS SECTION CONSIDERS DIFFERING STYLES OF SECURE UNITS, STAFF RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OFFENDERS, AND THE EFFECTS OF SECURE DETENTION ON THE CHILDREN. ALTERNATIVES TO SECURITY ARE EXAMINED. THE PRESENCE OF YOUNG OFFENDERS IN ADULT ESTABLISHMENTS IS ALSO DISCUSSED. CHARTS AND TABLES PRESENT STUDY DATA. EACH CHAPTER CONTAINS REFERENCES. (GLR)