Detention refers to the act of holding individuals in custody, typically by law enforcement or immigration authorities for a period of time. This can occur for various reasons, such as pending trial, immigration status, or for security reasons. Detention facilities are often used to house individuals who are awaiting court hearings or deportation, and can range from local jails to dedicated detention centers. Research in this area may focus on the conditions of detention facilities, the impact of detention on individuals' mental and physical health, legal and human rights issues related to detention, and strategies to improve the detention system.