What is the difference between a detention center and a juvenile correctional center?
Detention is used primarily for juveniles who are awaiting action of the court or transfer to a juvenile correctional facility. They usually stay in detention less than 21 days. Some detention centers have specialized programs so that juveniles may stay up to six months, serving a sentence that the Judge has imposed. Juvenile correctional centers house juveniles who have been committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice by a Judge. These youth have been found to have committed a felony or four misdemeanors. Unless committed by the Judge on a determinate commitment, juveniles cannot remain in a juvenile correctional center longer than 36 months on an indeterminate commitment.
