What term describes the practice of housing juveniles for a longer duration than necessary?

The term that best describes the practice of housing juveniles for a longer duration than necessary is "widening the net." This concept refers to the phenomenon where more juveniles are brought into the juvenile justice system and detained, often for longer periods than warranted. This can happen due to various factors, such as stricter laws, policies that favor detention, or societal pressures to impose harsher measures on youth offenders.

Widening the net can lead to negative consequences for juveniles, including exposure to more criminal influences while incarcerated and disruption of their education and family life. By correctly identifying this practice, individuals involved in the juvenile justice system can work towards reforming detention practices and ensuring that interventions are appropriate to the needs of the youth involved. This understanding is essential for promoting rehabilitation rather than punishment.