What is the primary characteristic of non-secure detention for a juvenile?

The primary characteristic of non-secure detention for a juvenile is that it involves temporary custody in a physically nonrestrictive environment. This means that juveniles are not confined within a secure facility and have more freedom of movement compared to secure detention. Non-secure detention often takes place in community-based settings, allowing juveniles to maintain some level of normalcy in their lives, such as attending school and participating in family activities while still being monitored.

This type of detention is designed to prevent the negative impacts of incarceration while still ensuring the safety of the juvenile and the community. Oftentimes, it is used for juveniles who are awaiting court hearings and does not impose the same level of physical restraint that secure detention does, focusing instead on rehabilitation and reintegration.

Other options, such as permanent custody in a juvenile facility or mandatory programs, do not align with the nature of non-secure detention, which is fundamentally about providing a less restrictive environment.