What is the primary purpose of secure detention for a child?

The primary purpose of secure detention for a child is to offer temporary custody while under physical restrictions. Secure detention serves as a facility where youth can be held while awaiting court hearings or processing within the juvenile justice system. This environment is designed to ensure the safety of both the juvenile and the community while the child's legal situation is being addressed.

Secure detention is characterized by controlled environments that limit a child's movement and interactions with the outside world, which is necessary to prevent further offenses or the risk of elopement while the legal proceedings are ongoing. This approach allows for the protection of the community, the juvenile’s accountability, and the administration of justice.

The other options focus on different aspects of juvenile justice. Nonrestrictive environments aim more towards rehabilitation and reformation, which generally occurs outside of secure detention. Family reunification can be an important part of the juvenile justice process, but it is not the primary purpose of secure detention, which focuses more on custody and safety. Community-based treatment options involve support services that can be beneficial for juveniles but are typically outside the restricted structure of secure detention, emphasizing alternative rehabilitation methods instead.