10 March 2015

Stolen Lives and Missed Opportunities: The deaths of young adults and children in prison

Prison, Young adults

Open report

What needs to happen to reduce the number of self-inflicted deaths by young people in custody? This report analyses deaths of young people in custody over the past three decades, drawing on evidence collated through specialist casework with bereaved families, and policy work. It argues for a fundamental rethink about the use of prison for children and young adults.

Publisher: Inquest

April 2026
Joint Enterprise: A view over time

The report looks at two decades of data on joint enterprise, finding a disproportionate impact on young adults and persistent racial disparities.

September 2025
From exploited to exploiter?

This report looks at how to prevent the unjust criminalisation of victims of child criminal exploitation in the transition to adulthood.

Criminal Justice, young adults
Smaller but tougher: How the criminal justice system is processing young adults

This Centre for Crime and Justice Studies report looks at harsher outcomes experienced by young adults in the criminal justice system over time.