Children of less than 18 years old are held 'at least overnight' in police stations, prisons and jails, in conditions that permit at least visual or auditory communication between children and adult inmates, regardless of the reason for the child being held there (suspected or convicted offender, destitution, child of adult detainee, war prisoner). Contact with adult inmates may have actual or potentially harmful results for the children. A slow decision-making process and a bureaucratic legal framework may prevent a prompt placement or release.