
Quoting
aardvarc
Yes. there are circumstances where a person may be placed in protective custody - both adults and juveniles. When that happens, no, they do not go in a prison cell. Prison is for persons convicted of serious crimes. Where they would be housed (kept) depends on the person's age, gender, reason for the protective custody, how long the need for protection is anticipated to last, and available resources in the area. An infants and small children might be placed in temporary foster care or into a local social services program. An adult might be kept in a hotel room, or if for some short amount of time (such as a trial about to occur) could be placed in a local jail; again, the details of WHY protective custody is needed, matter. Suffice to say that yes, a court can order that a person be placed into protective custody.