This report discusses lessons learned by the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) about improving and maintaining safe, humane institutions. Chapter 1, "Why Focus on Conditions of Confinement?" explains that many facilities do not meet minimum standards of care, and discusses the role of institutional conditions and links between conditions and detention reform. Chapter 2, "Guiding Principles for Conditions Work," presents seven principles essential to JDAI success. Chapter 3, "Framework for Assessing Conditions of Confinement," explains the development of an assessment instrument and onsite inspections. Chapter 4, "Improving Conditions in Juvenile Detention Facilities," presents essential elements for success (e.g., merging policy and practice, ensuring uniformity in systems, using data to improve conditions, developing knowledgeable facility administrators, changing key players' behaviors, responding to changing conditions, collaborating, and establishing reasonable expectations). Chapter 5, "Getting Started," addresses steps needed to develop an assessment process that leads to improved institutional conditions and practices (e.g., choosing the conditions assessment team, creating an assessment instrument, training the team, conducting the assessment, and using the assessment to improve conditions). Chapter 6, "Final Remarks on Improving Conditions and Sustaining Change," wraps up the monograph. A list of resources is included. (Contains 26 references.) (SM)