This section requires facilities to provide a nonpunitive, developmentally appropriate environment for youth who need to be held in a secure setting. The section also encompasses quality-of-life issues–assuring that youth will have clean, properly fitting clothing, healthy and appealing food and permission to retain appropriate personal items. Young people should be afforded a measure of privacy, and their human dignity should always be respected. Juvenile detention facilities should not look like or be operated as adult jails.

Note: This instrument does not include details on how upgrades to facilities and technology need to take into account the risk of sexual abuse. For U.S. facilities, the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) requires such upgrades consider their impact on protecting youth from sexual abuse, see 28 CFR §115.318.