JUVENILE DETENTION IS A TEMPORARY, PHYSICALLY RESTRICTING DEVICE AND IS USED PENDING COURT DISPOSITION OR TRANSFER. DETENTION'S POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES INCLUDE SECURITY OF THE COMMUNITY, RELIEF FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, RELIEF FOR THE YOUTH, SUPERVISION AND GUIDANCE, COUNSELING, AND PREPARATION FOR COURT DISPOSITION. POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGES INCLUDE LOSS OF LEGAL RIGHTS, SOCIAL STIGMA, PARENTAL FEELINGS OF FAILURE, NEGATIVE ALTERATION OF YOUTH'S SELF-CONCEPT, PEERS, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY. CURRENT USE OF DETENTION DEPENDS LARGELY UPON PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENTS OPERATING WITHIN A FRAMEWORK OF LAWS AND BROAD GUIDES. OVERUSE AND MISUSE INDICATE THAT PRACTITIONERS NEED MORE HELPFUL GUIDES FOR SOUND USE OF DETENTION. SOCIAL CASEWORK EXPERIENCE SUGGESTS METHODS AND TECHNIQUES USEFUL TO THOSE WILLING TO ADAPT. STRINGENT INTAKE POLICIES ARE NEEDED SO THAT ONLY THE MOST SERIOUSLY DISTURBED CHILDREN ARE DETAINED. WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THEIR OWN HOMES IS PREFERABLE IF POSSIBLE. IF DETENTION FULFILLS ITS STATED PURPOSES, IT CAN PROTECT BOTH THE CHILD AND THE COMMUNITY, ENSURE THE CHILD'S LEGAL RIGHTS, PROVIDE LIFE EXPERIENCE AND RESOURCES TO STUDY AND HELP MEET THE CHILD'S NEEDS, HELP THE CHILD CONSTRUCTIVELY, AND PROVIDE SPECIFIC AND LIMITED TREATMENT GOALS FOR EACH CHILD. THE NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE DETENTION EXPERIENCE, RATHER THAN ITS DURATION, SHOULD BE THE MAIN FOCUS. A REFERENCE LIST AND AN APPENDIX DESCRIBING RESULTS FROM ONE COUNTY'S JUVENILE DIVERSION UNIT ARE INCLUDED.