10 May 2018

A Life Sentence for Young People

Courts and sentencing, Probation

Open report

How can the impact of criminal records acquired in childhood and early adulthood be reduced? More than 3.5 million youth criminal records have been disclosed. This report looks at the background to the criminal records regime, the number of young people affected, and argues for a distinct system for children, and a nuanced approach to young adults.

Publisher: Unlock
Author: Christopher Stacey

prison, young adults
Raise the Bars: Co-producing practice guidance with Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller people

This Friends, Families and Travellers report summarises focus groups with 57 Romany, Gypsy and Irish Traveller young adults across 20 prisons, with recommendations for reform based on their experiences.

Criminal Justice, young adults
Behind the decline

This Centre for Crime and Justice Studies report looks at the shrinking young adult population within the criminal justice system who are experiencing increasingly harsher treatment.

May 2026
Reimagining justice for children and young adults