The review found that States were detaining many juveniles who had not committed serious crimes under conditions that did not always meet nationally recommended standards. In addition, GAO reviewed the secure detention policies of five Federal agencies and found they were not always consistent with objectives of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. The Department of Justice agreed that this report accurately reports juvenile detention practices in the States reviewed and that certain policies and practices of Federal agencies are not consistent with the Act's objectives. It said that its support and fulfillment of the recommendations will improve juvenile detention practices at the local, State, and Federal levels. Appendixes contain study documentation and correspondence. (Author abstract modified)