detain

Detain is a verb meaning to cause a person to remain in official custody or to delay their movement. The noun detention refers to the act or condition of being detained. The term derives from Middle French detenir, from Latin detinere, to hold back.

In law and policing, detention is a temporary deprivation of liberty for a particular purpose, such as investigation, identification, or ensuring compliance with procedures. It is generally distinguished from arrest in that detention is typically shorter and subject to specific legal authorities and safeguards. Depending on the jurisdiction, permissible grounds for detention include reasonable suspicion for investigative stops or probable cause for more formal deprivation, and procedures often require limitation of duration, notification of rights, and access to counsel or further review.

Detention occurs in various settings. Police may detain a person during questioning or at a border checkpoint; immigration authorities may detain individuals awaiting decisions on asylum or removal; and courts or prosecutors may detain suspects during the pre-trial period. Detention can also refer to the administrative or disciplinary postponement of a person’s activities, such as school detention or custodial care in juvenile or adult facilities.

International and human rights law generally prohibits arbitrary detention and requires that detention be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, with safeguards including prompt judicial review, reasons for detention, and access to legal counsel. Overviews and critiques of detention practices emphasize ensuring due process, minimizing unnecessary deprivation of liberty, and monitoring conditions within facilities.