Three locations in the US are set to implement the Emerging Adult Justice Project’s (EAJP) Developmental Framework – a roadmap for a distinct approach to the needs of children and young adults.

Lael E.H. Chester, director of the EAJP, explains: “Schools consider youth development when designing services and programs, which is why kindergarteners are not taught calculus and college students are not taught to play games to learn shapes and colours.

“But our criminal legal system doesn’t, and typically treats an 18-year-old in pretty much the same way as a 40- or 50-year-old.”

The framework was developed by a diverse group of experts that included researchers, practitioners, policymakers, young people, and advocates. Its central principle is that youth and young adults should be empowered to fulfil their potential.

The Casey Foundation, which is funding the EAJP pilots, is dedicating half of its funds over the next decade to support the wellbeing, growth and development of youth and young adults as part of its Thrive by 25 commitment.

Here at T2A, we’re delighted to see such positive steps taken towards a justice system that gives special consideration to a young adult’s unique needs, strengths, and level of maturity.

Young adults with lived experience of the justice system are set to work closely with the EAJP sites in Nebraska, Massachusetts and Washington DC, to guide the implementation and running of the pilots.

The Development Framework’s central principle is that youth and young adults should be empowered to fulfil their potential.

The Nebraska Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation (AOCP) are using the developmental framework to radically rethink how probation can meet the needs of young adults. One of their most exciting plans is to develop specialist young adult probation officers who will receive additional training in areas such as trauma-informed care, diversity, and neurological development.

Laurie Hunte, T2A Criminal Justice Programme Manager, adds: “We warmly welcome the news that this pilot will have such a strong focus on supporting young adults to thrive.

“It’s also very positive to see that the voices and experiences of young adults are central to this project.”

Since the T2A programme began formally in 2008, we have worked tirelessly to build an evidence base and challenge the thinking of criminal justice policy makers that all young people become adults at 18. Neuroscience has proven that the reality is much more complex, so it is very encouraging to see international organisations take these innovative approaches to the rehabilitation of young adults.

We look forward to watching the development of these pilots to see how we can utilise the learnings to benefit young adults here in the UK and beyond.

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Chair of the T2A Alliance Leroy Logan MBE reflects on the lack of progress on the Lammy Review recommendations and what this means for young Black and minority ethnic adults.

Last week, the Prison Reform Trust published an update on the progress of the Lammy Review’s prison recommendations. Commenting, Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust said:

“More than five years on since David Lammy’s review revealed the shocking extent of racial disproportionality in our criminal justice system, our report shows that many of the issues he identified remain stubbornly persistent.”

Of course, I welcome the transparency that this analysis brings. However, as someone who has worked tirelessly throughout my career to create a fairer criminal justice system, I am bitterly disappointed by the government’s lack of progress on its commitments.

In his 2018 Perrie Lecture, David Lammy said:

“You cannot be in the criminal justice business and not be in the race business.”

And one cannot support children and young adults in the criminal justice system without being uncomfortably aware of the deep-seated racial disparities that exist. According to the Ministry of Justice’s statistics, over 40% of 18-24 year olds in custody are young Black and minority ethnic adults.

That’s why the work of T2A is hugely important. Together with the T2A Alliance members, we’re doing all we can to ensure that every young adult in the criminal justice system gets the support they need, based on their ongoing maturity and not simply on their chronological age.

We often speak to practitioners across HMPPS who want to do more to support young Black and minority ethnic adults, so we must continue to create accessible resources and tools that enable them to do so.

According to the Ministry of Justice’s statistics, over 40% of 18-24 year olds in custody are young Black and minority ethnic adults.

Training materials should cover everything from understanding how to talk about race and increasing cultural awareness, to learning more about implicit bias and discrimination. Listening to Black and minority ethnic organisations and the young adult they support will ensure these materials are grounded in lived experience. Spark Inside’s recent #BeingWellBeingEqual report highlighted the importance of this approach, and how promoting young Black men’s wellbeing can help them unlock their full potential.

Learning how to support young adults to move from a pro-offending to pro-social identity will also be crucial. With a stronger insight into how identity and trauma inform behaviour, staff will be able to develop more positive relationships with the young Black and minority ethnic adults in their care.

I know that the scale of the challenges we face may feel insurmountable at times. Many people, myself included, are rightly disappointed that so little has changed since David Lammy’s landmark review five years ago.

But we must not let this deter us. We must harness this energy and relentlessly focus on the work ahead of us. And if you’re feeling a tad cynical, which is completely understandable, I invite you to delve into the power of optimism.

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Chair of the T2A Alliance Leroy Logan MBE shares his insights on Spark Inside’s new Being Well Being Equal report and how we can support young adults to thrive post release.

“I was quite positive when I went inside and I think the system strips you of that. And once it has been stripped you then have the issue of well, trying to get that back and they are not putting support in place to rebuild that.” (Young adult, Being Well Being Equal Report)

When we see young adults in the criminal justice system solely as people to be punished, we deny them the opportunity to forge a better future. We rob them of their full potential.

If we don’t rehabilitate young adults at this crucial juncture in their development, the desistance process becomes much more complex after the age of 25 due to the “scarring effect” of “new adversities which are emergent in adulthood” (University of Edinburgh Study March 2022).

Prisons should focus on the rehabilitation of every individual. Young adults who are given the chance to grow, develop and realise their potential during their time in prison are less likely to reoffend – and more likely to positively contribute to society.

This is exemplified in a new report from Spark Inside. Its detailed paper Being Well, Being Equal contains a comprehensive list of recommendations on how we can prioritise the wellbeing of young men, and particularly young Black men in the criminal justice system. Spark Inside’s recommendations could not be more timely when we consider the scale of the challenges young adults face.

A 2021 thematic report from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMIP) on the outcomes of young adults in custody stated: “if action is not taken, outcomes for this group and society will remain poor for the next decade and beyond.”

The December 2022 HMIP thematic review into the experiences of adult black male prisoners and black prison staff found that lack of trust in prison staff was a significant barrier to asking for support.

“Prisoners generally had low expectations of the help that they might be given if they needed support; some gave examples of times when they or friends had sought support and not received it, and others did not feel that staff had the cultural sensitivity, expertise or experience to help them, and therefore did not want to ask for help.” (HMIP, 2022)

This places young Black men in the criminal justice system in an incredibly vulnerable position – one where they feel unable to seek help from the very people who have a duty of care to keep them safe.

The evidence is clear. We must act now. But where to start? Spark Inside believes we need to listen to the voices and experiences of young adults and the organisations that advocate on their behalf. Involving Black-led and Black specialist organisations in the development of wellbeing strategies will lead to greater engagement and trust on both sides – creating an approach to young Black men’s mental health and wellbeing that considers their distinct needs.

Empowering young adults to play a role in shaping policy and practice is also key. Being able to actively participate in matters that have a huge impact on their lives will boost their self-confidence, self-esteem, sense of agency, and wellbeing.

Spark Inside have rightly identified that training and coaching will be vital to see through the report’s recommendations.

Involving young adults and the organisations that advocate on their behalf in the development of wellbeing strategies will lead to greater trust and engagement.

Many prison and probation officers want to do more to support young adults, but they don’t have the resources, time or support. HMPPS ringfencing time for staff to receive specialist training will help them understand how to effectively meet the needs of young adults – leading to more open and positive relationships. It will also help people working across the prison estate to explore and challenge discriminatory attitudes towards young adults, particularly young Black adults.

Right now, with organisations like Spark Inside working directly with young adults, we have a chance to create a criminal justice system that focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment. A system where young adults can gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive. A system where every young adult can unlock their full potential. But we need to grab this chance with both hands if we are to ever make it a reality.

Being Well Being Equal:

Prioritising the wellbeing of young men and young Black men in the criminal justice system

Read the report