An overview of the concept of juvenile detention and its proper use first portrays it as "process" and "place." As "process," juvenile detention features the juvenile court's power to detain (arrest, prevent, control, or stop) a juvenile pending legal actions. In viewing detention as a process, the juvenile court must determine the level of restrictive custody that is required to fulfill the detention functions, which are to prevent the juvenile from reoffending, from failing to appear for a court hearing, and from inflicting harm on himself/herself or others. This calls for a range of detention alternatives or a continuum of detention alternatives. Detention as "place" emphasizes a secure facility that will facilitate the effective achievement of detention purposes. This discussion of detention as "process" and "place" is followed by a promotion of the use of professional standards as important guidelines for effective detention practice. Juvenile detention reform is then examined as a response to the crowding of juvenile detention facilities. Along with the issue of crowding as a focus of reform, there has also been a drive to develop appropriate programs for juveniles while they are in detention facilities. The general emphases of such programs are education, behavior modification, and preparation for release back into the community. Five case studies of promising programs in juvenile detention are presented. Included in these programs are cognitive-based interventions such as conflict resolution, peer mediation, social skills training, and anger management, along with other group-based interventions. 81 references