United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of Their Liberty

1. The juvenile justice system should uphold the rights and safety and
promote the physical and mental well-being of juveniles. Imprisonment should
be used as a last resort.

2. Juveniles should only be deprived of their liberty in accordance with the
principles and procedures set forth in these Rules and in the United Nations
Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing
Rules). Deprivation of the liberty of a juvenile should be a disposition of
last resort and for the minimum necessary period and should be limited to
exceptional cases. The length of the sanction should be determined by the
judicial authority, without precluding the possibility of his or her early
release.