Community Sentences

Probation services should see young adults as a priority for developing dedicated approaches. They represent a third of the probation service’s caseload, and have one of the highest rates of breach and reoffending. They are at a crucial time in their lives when with effective support they could significantly reduce their offending as they ‘grow out of crime’.

T2A recommends that probation services develop young adult teams which would have smaller caseloads and work in collaboration with the voluntary sector to deliver a distinct approach. T2A advocates for young adult specific community-based interventions to be commissioned by the probation services to enable all sentencers to sentencing disposals that meet the specific needs of young adults.