Which type of offender is most likely to be placed in protective custody?

• A. juvenile offender
• B. drug user
• C. child molester
• D. violent offender

Answer: (C)

Protective custody is used when an inmate faces a real threat to their safety in the general population. A child molester is especially at risk because crimes against children carry intense stigma and can provoke violent responses from other inmates, so corrections plans frequently place such individuals in protective custody to keep them safe. The other options don’t typically trigger this level of targeted protection: juvenile offenders are usually housed in separate juvenile facilities or settings, drug users aren’t inherently protected solely for their drug use, and violent offenders are generally placed in the general population unless there’s a specific credible threat against them.