Adultifying Youth Custody: Learning lessons on transition to adulthood from the use of youth custody for young adults
This is the second in a series of three policy briefings by the Alliance for Youth Justice, and funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust, on critical issues faced by young people in contact with the criminal justice system transitioning to adulthood. This briefing explores the impacts of the significant increase in young adults held in the children’s secure estate across 2023 and 2024 on both under and over 18s. It highlights the questions this raises around the purpose and future of youth custody, and the lessons learnt for custody for young adults. It calls for:
The need to ensure the distinct character of the children’s estate, keeping it separate from the adult secure estate.
The development of a distinct approach to custody for young adults.
Case by case decisions to transition young people turning 18 between the two estates.
A child-centred children's estate, with custody only used as a last resort and the closure of Young Offender Institutions and the last remaining Secure Training College.
The briefing draws from an evidence review; workshops bringing together professionals from the youth and adult criminal justice sector, voluntary and community sector, academia and legal representatives; meetings and interviews with practitioners and civil servants; and consultation sessions with 50 children and young adults held in child and adult custodial settings, facilitated by Kinetic Youth Ltd.