What is the purpose of preventive detention?

The purpose of preventive detention is primarily to prevent flight or danger to the community. This legal concept is grounded in the principle that certain individuals may pose a risk to public safety or may not appear for their court hearings if released prior to trial. Preventive detention allows for the temporary incarceration of individuals based on the assessment that they may flee or engage in harmful behavior if not confined.

This practice is designed to protect society by ensuring that those who are presumed to be likely to commit further crimes or evade the legal process are detained until their case is resolved. This focus on public safety balances the rights of the accused with the need to maintain community order and ensure that judicial proceedings can effectively take place.

Other options, while relevant in different discussions related to detention, do not accurately capture the primary objective of preventive detention. Immediate release, resource expenditure, and reducing prison overcrowding are not the key factors driving the rationale behind preventive detention.