Health care for incarcerated adolescents: significant needs with considerable obstacles.

In 1999 an estimated 717 036 juveniles were incarcerated in the United States [1]. Many youth remain in detention a short time while others convicted of serious crimes spend years incarcerated. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 mandated that youth not be housed with adults. Nonetheless, on June 30, 2000, an estimated 7600 youths were incarcerated in adult facilities [2]. Each state defines the limits of the juvenile age range as it applies to detention practices and the choice of being tried in juvenile rather than adult court.