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| Keep under-25s out of adult prisons, MPs urge | Keep under-25s out of adult prisons, MPs urge |
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| Young offenders up to the age of 25 should be kept out of adult prisons because of “irrefutable evidence” that the typical adult male brain is not fully formed until at least the mid-20s, MPs have said. | Young offenders up to the age of 25 should be kept out of adult prisons because of “irrefutable evidence” that the typical adult male brain is not fully formed until at least the mid-20s, MPs have said. |
| The House of Commons justice select committee says young adults, who make up 10% of the adult prison population but account for 30-40% of police time, should be treated differently by the criminal justice system and be held in young offender institutions with 18- to 20-year-olds. | The House of Commons justice select committee says young adults, who make up 10% of the adult prison population but account for 30-40% of police time, should be treated differently by the criminal justice system and be held in young offender institutions with 18- to 20-year-olds. |
| The MPs say that the most recent evidence shows that young people are reaching adult maturity five to seven years later than they did a few decades ago, which is affecting the age at which most typically grow out of crime. | The MPs say that the most recent evidence shows that young people are reaching adult maturity five to seven years later than they did a few decades ago, which is affecting the age at which most typically grow out of crime. |
| The justice select committee report on young adult offenders cites behaviourial neuro-scientific evidence that this is reflected in the late development of those parts of their brain that determine how individuals weigh long-term gains against short-term reward efforts. | The justice select committee report on young adult offenders cites behaviourial neuro-scientific evidence that this is reflected in the late development of those parts of their brain that determine how individuals weigh long-term gains against short-term reward efforts. |
| “As the brain is a plastic organ it can heal to an extent up to the age of 25 if taken out of ‘aversive circumstances’ which can cause brain changes, for example, separation from family and friends and exposure to punitive conditions,” the MPs argue. | “As the brain is a plastic organ it can heal to an extent up to the age of 25 if taken out of ‘aversive circumstances’ which can cause brain changes, for example, separation from family and friends and exposure to punitive conditions,” the MPs argue. |
| “While the brain is continuing to develop there is a risk that problems will be compounded by involvement in the criminal justice system itself and that opportunities will be missed to repair the developmental harm caused by brain injury or other forms of trauma.” | |
| The committee’s inquiry found those still offending into adulthood were more likely to have learning difficulties or communication disorders, or to have suffered head injuries and said flawed interventions by the prison and probation services did not recognise young adults’ needs and prevented them getting out of a cycle of crime. Young adults have the highest reconviction rates with 75% reconvicted within two years of release. | The committee’s inquiry found those still offending into adulthood were more likely to have learning difficulties or communication disorders, or to have suffered head injuries and said flawed interventions by the prison and probation services did not recognise young adults’ needs and prevented them getting out of a cycle of crime. Young adults have the highest reconviction rates with 75% reconvicted within two years of release. |
| The report says that rates of learning disability, communication impairment and autistic spectrum disorder are 10 times higher among young offenders than among young people in the general population, and there is a high level of acquired brain injury – which, according to estimates by the Centre for Mental Health, can increase the likelihood of crime by 50%. | |
| “These factors impact on criminal behaviour and have implications for the appropriate treatment of young adults by the criminal justice system as they are more challenging to manage, harder to engage, and tend to have poorer outcomes.” | “These factors impact on criminal behaviour and have implications for the appropriate treatment of young adults by the criminal justice system as they are more challenging to manage, harder to engage, and tend to have poorer outcomes.” |
| Much of this recent research stems from a substantial research programme by the Transition to Adulthood Alliance, a coalition of 12 criminal justice, health and youth organisations. | Much of this recent research stems from a substantial research programme by the Transition to Adulthood Alliance, a coalition of 12 criminal justice, health and youth organisations. |
| The chair of the justice committee, Bob Neill, said: “Research findings in criminology, psychology and neurology indicate the need for a distinctive approach. There is overwhelming enthusiasm for change within the sector. And yet the government has been hesitant to act. We do not understand why it has not been more courageous, and has hidden behind outdated legislation. So we have used the evidence we received to develop a blueprint for change, which we expect the government to adopt as part of their forthcoming reform plan.” | The chair of the justice committee, Bob Neill, said: “Research findings in criminology, psychology and neurology indicate the need for a distinctive approach. There is overwhelming enthusiasm for change within the sector. And yet the government has been hesitant to act. We do not understand why it has not been more courageous, and has hidden behind outdated legislation. So we have used the evidence we received to develop a blueprint for change, which we expect the government to adopt as part of their forthcoming reform plan.” |
| A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman responded, saying: “Significant efforts have been made to divert young people from custody and this has resulted in a welcome reduction in the prison population – down 40% since 2010. But those in custody are in for longer and for more serious offences. We recognise the specific challenges associated with this age group and are committed to addressing these.” | A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman responded, saying: “Significant efforts have been made to divert young people from custody and this has resulted in a welcome reduction in the prison population – down 40% since 2010. But those in custody are in for longer and for more serious offences. We recognise the specific challenges associated with this age group and are committed to addressing these.” |