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

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.