Since 2003, Dutch juveniles on remand who go to school or have work can be held in ‘night detention’: they attend their school or work during the day and spend the nights and weekends in a young offender institution. The authors examine how this form of youth detention relates to basic principles in juvenile criminal law and penitentiary law. They argue that based on international standards stating that juveniles should be detained with as few restraints as possible, night detention should be made available if circumstances allow it not only for juveniles on remand, but for juveniles subject to any form of detention.