Written evidence from the Reform Trust

Who we are 1. The Trust (PRT) is an independent UK charity working to create a just, humane and effective prison system. We do this by inquiring into the workings of the system; informing , staff and the wider public; and by influencing Parliament, government and officials towards reform. The Prison Reform Trust provides the secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Penal Affairs Group and has an advice and information service for prisoners and their families.

2. The Prison Reform Trust's main objectives are:  reducing unnecessary and promoting community solutions to  improving treatment and conditions for prisoners and their families.

www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk

Introduction 3. The Prison Reform Trust welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Justice Committee’s inquiry on young adults. PRT is a member of the Transition to Adulthood (T2A) Alliance and has a longstanding interest in the treatment of young adults in the justice system. In 2004, drawing on information supplied by independent monitoring boards, the Prison Reform Trust produced a report A lost generation1 which revealed how good intentions had not led to effective practice in establishments across and and presented clear recommendations for reform. Our 2012 report Old Enough to Know Better2 called for a more focussed and intensive approach to rehabilitating young adult offenders including investment in and promotion of intensive alternatives to custody.

4. Our 2012 report with INQUEST, Fatally Flawed,3 documented the vulnerabilities of many young people in trouble with the law and illustrated how such young men and women were placed in unsafe institutions that were ill-equipped to deal with their complex needs with tragic consequences. The report contributed to the establishment of an independent review into the deaths of young adults in custody, chaired by Lord Harris. Our independent Care review,4 chaired by Lord Laming, is considering the reasons behind, and how best to tackle, the over representation of looked after children in the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

1 Solomon, E (2004) A lost generation, London: Prison Reform Trust. Available at http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Lost%20Generation.pdf 2 Prison Reform Trust (2012) Old enough to know better? London: Prison Reform Trust. Available at http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/portals/0/documents/oldenoughtoknowbetter.pdf 3 Prison Reform Trust and Inquest (2012) Fatally Flawed: has the state learned lessons from the deaths of children and young people in prison?, London: PRT and Inquest. Available at http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Fatally%20Flawed.pdf 4 See http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/ProjectsResearch/CareReview The Harris Review advocated a distinct approach to young adult offenders. Is this desirable?

5. The Prison Reform Trust welcomes Lord Harris’ recognition of the need for a distinct approach to young adult offenders. The evidence produced by the T2A programme has shown that a young adult’s developmental maturity should be taken into account throughout the criminal justice process, and should be regarded as at least as important as their chronological age.5 This is necessary because variation in maturity may be directly related to offending and the ability to comply with statutory requirements, such as community sentences.

6. In addition, young adults are the most likely age group to desist and "grow out of crime". Between the ages of 18 and 25, the focus should therefore be on encouraging desistance from crime and supporting the factors which reduce criminal behaviour, such as employment, housing and good health.

7. Young adults in trouble with the law often have complex needs and are from backgrounds of great disadvantage. Young adult offenders frequently have few or no educational qualifications, and no experience of work. A large proportion are care leavers. They also suffer from poor mental health, and alcohol and drug misuse problems. These are often even more acute during someone's transition to adulthood, as child-focused support services - such as care services, child and adolescent mental health services, children's services and youth offending services—fall away when they reach the age of 18.

8. A distinct approach to young adults has the potential to yield social and economic gains through better outcomes for this age group and a reduction in the numbers entering custody. Much can be learnt from the recent experience of the youth justice system, which has succeeded in improving outcomes and reducing first time entrants into the system.6 Rates of offending by children have also fallen. It is encouraging that the number of young adults in custody has fallen by 42% in the last six years, partly as a consequence of there being fewer younger offenders both entering the criminal justice system and being sentenced to custody. A sound economic case can be made for the use of custody as a last resort in a balanced justice system.7

If so, what would this entail i) in the community and ii) in custody?

9. The “T2A Pathway” identifies 10 points in the criminal justice system where a distinct approach to young adults can be taken, from point of arrest and including prosecution, sentencing, probation and custody.8 The main elements of a distinct approach in the community and custody are as follows:

5 See http://www.t2a.org.uk/ 6 Allen, R (2011) Last resort? exploring the reduction in child imprisonment 2008-11, London: Prison Reform Trust. Available at http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/lastresort.pdf 7 See the Prison Reform Trust’s submission to the TM Treasury Spending Review 8 See http://www.barrowcadbury.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/T2A_Pathways-from- Crime_online-ver2.pdf Community

10.Intensive community approaches and police and probation-led IOM schemes have shown promising results for this age group.9 Many young adults who currently receive short prison sentences could be managed safely in the community through robust, targeted orders.10 It is important that a range of disposals tailored to the specific needs of young adults are available within the local area. Sentencers should be fully informed of these disposals and their outcomes. Provision can build on promising schemes in a dozen probation areas, including the four biggest (Greater Manchester, Wales, London and Staffordshire and West Midlands), which have commissioned services that are specific to young adults. Clinks has recently produced a guide for probation services on effective approaches with young adults, which includes examples of good practice from across England and Wales.11

Custody

11.Young adults in custody have distinct needs and vulnerabilities, and present particular challenges, born of their youth and immaturity. They are open to influence, both good and bad, which means that any decent prison system must provide an environment and regime that takes full account of their age and stage. This approach is needed to maximise the chances of effective rehabilitation in what in many instances will be a first term of imprisonment for young and immature people.

12.To support this, the Prison Reform Trust believes the following actions are required:

 Young people ages 18-20 should be accommodated separately from adult prisoners. Those on should be accommodated separately from young adults (18-20) who are sentenced.  A distinct regime should be developed, with particular emphasis on: o a full programme of purposeful activity led by specifically trained staff; o reliable access to specialist services to meet assessed health and wellbeing needs; o the provision of robust sentence management plans; o a strong focus throughout their period in custody on resettlement; and o the availability of an effective personal officer scheme and family liaison programme.

 This regime should be supported by the introduction of a specific Prison Service Instruction or Instructions (PSI).

9 Ministry of Justice (2011) Evaluation of the Intensive Alternative to Custody, London: Ministry of Justice 10 See Prison Reform Trust (2012) Old enough to know better? London: Prison Reform Trust. Available at http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/portals/0/documents/oldenoughtoknowbetter.pdf 11 T2A and Clinks (2015) Effective approaches with young adults, London: Clinks. Available at http://www.t2a.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Probation-guide_Ver4_sml.pdf The Harris Review recommended that more young adults should be diverted. Is it appropriate to seek to divert more young adults from custody and the criminal justice system, and if so, how would this best be achieved?

13.The Prison Reform Trust supports this recommendation, and agrees that more young adults could be diverted from the criminal justice system. Young adult offenders often have complex needs including mental illness, learning disabilities, drug and alcohol addictions. These can become more acute during the period of transition into adulthood when child-focussed support services are withdrawn at the age of 18.

14.Liaison and diversion (L&D) services based in police stations and courts have an important role to play in improving outcomes for vulnerable young adults. They are well placed to identify need at an individual’s first point of contact with criminal justice services, and can help to ensure necessary treatment or support to reduce reoffending and improve health and wellbeing. L&D services have achieved over 50% coverage across England and go ahead for a full national scheme is expected in the autumn. We welcome the decision by NHS England that these services will be delivered as “all age” services (children, young people and adults). Services will need to be designed to include within their provision a distinct approach to young adults, including assessing for the range of vulnerabilities prevalent among this age group. These include:

15.Mental health needs and learning disabilities: Young adulthood is a peak age for emergence of mental health problems. Early adulthood is also the key time for emerging personality disorder. The transition from children’s mental health services to adult services can be difficult for a young adult, because they may not meet the often tighter criteria to access adult services, leaving them without access to support after children’s services are withdrawn at age.

16.Brain injury: 60% of children in custody have reported experiencing a traumatic brain injury but these are often overlooked in a criminal justice context. The consequences of a brain injury can include loss of memory, loss of concentration, decreased awareness of one’s own or others’ emotional state, poor impulse control, and, particularly, poor social judgment. Behavioural problems such as conduct disorder, attention problems, increased aggression and impulse control problems can be a direct contribution to offending behaviour.12 The Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT)13 is used to assess the presence and extent of young people’s brain injuries in YOIs and its use could be extended to young adults.

17.Substance misuse: Alcohol is a factor in criminal behaviour for nearly 50% of 18-24 year olds and 69% of young adults have taken an illicit drug in the year previous to being convicted. Drug misuse is more common amongst young adults who have offended than in the general population. The drugs taken by young adults may be different to drugs commonly taken by older adults.

12 T2A Alliance (2012) Repairing Shattered Lives: Brain injuries and its implications for criminal justice 13 http://www.ohrn.nhs.uk/OHRNResearch/CHAT Addaction has found that adult services for drug users may not be suitable for young adults; their problems may not be appropriately addressed and can leave them in a vulnerable position.14

18.Care leavers: Particular attention should be given in the design and commissioning of services to the large numbers of care leavers involved with the criminal justice system.15 Just 1% of children are looked after by local authorities, but those in care make up 33% of boys and 61% of girls in custody. Although precise figures are not known because care leavers are not always identified within the criminal justice system, it is estimated that 24% of the adult prison population were in care as a child (24% for men and 31% for women).

19.Care leavers face particular challenges in their transition to adulthood due to their common experience of trauma, poor or absent support from families and their experience of living in institutions or foster care. They are more likely to be attempting to live independently from a young age and less likely to be in education, training or employment than other young adults. However they are entitled to practical and financial support from local authorities. It is important that justice services identify care leavers and enable them to access all the support they are entitled to under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. Should sentence to in a young offender institution for 18-20 year old offenders be abolished? If so, what should replace it? 20.The Prison Reform Trust is strongly opposed to the abolition of the sentence to detention in a young offenders’ institution (DYOI). This proposal was in scope of the government’s consultation on Transforming the Management of Young Adults in Custody, which was delayed until the outcome of the Harris review. It would run counter to the evidence that young adults in prison need specific protection and support. The evidence base in support of the DYOI sentence has, if anything, grown since its introduction.

21.Since 2012, the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) commissioning intentions have outlined the distinct needs of young adults as well as some of the programmes needed to address these. We welcome the recent publication by NOMS of Achieving Better Outcomes for Young Adult Men Evidence Based Commissioning Principles.16 These principles provide further guidance to commissioners on which approaches are most effective at addressing the specific needs of young adults.

22.The increasing recognition of maturity in commissioning guidance is a positive development which should build on the statutory protection for young adults afforded by the DYOI sentence. We note that HM Inspectorate and independent monitoring board (IMB) reports have raised concerns over provision in both dedicated young adult YOIs and in mixed establishments

14 T2A Alliance (2011) Substance misuse and young adults in the Criminal Justice System 15 For more information see http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/ProjectsResearch/CareReview 16 See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/achieving-better-outcomes-for-young-adult-men- evidence-based-commissioning-principles (see below). However, a model in which a distinct regime, with additional resources, underpinned and protected in statute, is provided for 18-20 year olds, is one that we would wish to see continue and develop. Existing weaknesses do not justify scrapping the model; rather, they point to the need to redouble efforts to make the model work as it was intended to do.

23.For further information see the Prison Reform Trust’s submission to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on Transforming the Management of Young Adult Offenders in Custody http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/PRT%20submission %20- %20Transforming%20management%20of%20young%20adults%20in%20cust ody.doc The Harris Review concluded that all young adults in prison are vulnerable and that the experience of being in prison is particularly damaging to them as they are developing. Do you agree?

24.Yes; evidence suggests that prison is particularly damaging to young adults. A high number of young adults in custody (101 since 2007) have taken their own lives. Young adults account for 17% of all self-harm incidents although they represent 7% of the population in custody. 75% of young adults reoffend within two years of release from prison. This age group is open to influence and capable of significant change.

The nature and effectiveness of the Ministry of Justice’s strategy and governance structures for dealing with young adult offenders.

25.The majority of youth and adult justice policy and legislation remains arbitrarily split on the basis of chronological age at 18. As a consequence, implementation of evidence in practice has moved ahead of policy in many parts of the country. This has resulted in an inconsistent application of good practice nationally.

26.Much can be learned from the youth justice system in terms of how best to implement more effective responses to young adults. The youth justice system has succeeded in improving outcomes and reducing first time entrants. At the same time youth offending has also declined. We welcome the recent creation of a young adult unit with the Ministry of Justice and NOMS. It is now vital to that the Ministry of Justice provides clear leadership at a national level to drive consistent reform and improvements in the approach to young adults throughout the justice system. A number of police and crime commissioners, including the PCC for Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd, have expressed an interest in having increased oversight of this age group. There is scope for the devolution of responsibilities to regional commissioners to improve integration of local services for young adults as part of a coordinated national approach. The suitability of current provision for young adult offenders i) in the community and ii) in custody, including the extent to which there is distinct provision currently 27.Despite the lack of a national strategy, young adult-specific approaches have been implemented in a range of settings. These include:

 Sentencing Guidelines for adults that have taken account of ‘lack of maturity’ as a mitigating factor since 2012;

 The Crown Prosecution Service’s Code of Conduct (2013) includes maturity as a factor in decisions on culpability;

 Young adult specific strategies and services have been commissioned by a third of Police and Crime Commissioners since 2012;

 Some Community Rehabilitation Companies have designed young adult specific services as part of their delivery plan.

 NOMS commissioning intentions outline the distinct needs of young adults as well as some of the programmes needed to address these (since 2012).

Community

28.18-25 year olds account for a third of the whole probation services’ caseload. Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) in particular require a credible and effective range of non-custodial interventions for young adults that command the confidence of victims, the courts and local communities. Although there are good examples of distinct provision for young adults in many parts of England and Wales, coverage is patchy and often dependent on the support of local champions, who are not present everywhere.

29.Since the introduction of Transforming Rehabilitation (TR), the proportion of young adults is likely to be greater in CRC caseloads than National Probation Service (NPS). However, one challenge for young adults under TR is that risk can only be escalated between CRCs and NPS. This means that once an individual is under NPS supervision they cannot move back to CRCs. This is of concern given the particularly dynamic nature of risk in young adults.18-25 year olds have the highest breach rates for community sentences and are the most likely group to be reconvicted during or following the sentence. Under TR, increasing numbers of young adults could end up under NPS supervision without provision to de-escalate their risk.

30.Furthermore, there is a very significant risk under the TR changes that the availability of extended periods of supervision triggered by short custodial sentences may lead to an increase in the use of custody simply to access that supervision. Any shift in that direction would require prompt guidance to sentencing courts to underline the evidence base of the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms. This shows that effective community intervention is more effective at reducing reoffending than short periods in custody. Young adults may be especially at risk from an over use of short custodial sentences. Given the high incidence of breach, they are also more likely than other age groups to be recalled to custody. Custody 31.The number of young adults (aged 18–20) in prison in England and Wales has fallen by 42% in the last six years. On 30 June 2015 there were 5,050 young adults in prison. Despite this welcome reduction, the Inspectorate has cautioned that those who remain in custody are “some of the most vulnerable, troubled young adults with complex needs”.17

32.Although notionally there is distinct provision for 18-20-year-old young adults in custody in England and Wales, this has been diluted by the lack of a centrally driven strategy, an inconsistency in approach across the estate, insufficient staff training and development and an erosion of the distinct provision that the YOI regime was intended to provide. In recent years, there has been a move to hold young adults in prisons with adult prisoners, particular in London and South East England, following the decision to no longer hold remanded young adults in Feltham YOI. These changes were put on hold pending the findings and recommendations of the independent review into self-inflicted deaths in custody of young adult men aged 18 to 24 led by Lord Harris. There are now 53 dual-designated prisons which are allowed to hold young adults together with adults (aged 21+).

33.The findings of the HM Inspectorate of Prisons annual report 2014-15 reveal that neither mixed nor dedicated establishments are meeting the needs of young adults. Overall, outcomes for young adults were poor in both dedicated and mixed establishments across key indicators for purposeful activity, safety and respect (see Appendix One).

34.The Inspectorate found that dual designated HMP/YOI prisons, particularly local prisons, are struggling to cope with the introduction of young adults into their populations. Young adults are significantly over-represented in violent incidents, adjudications and the use of force by staff. The inspectorate found that many integrated prisons have no strategy to manage this distinct group. Staff in integrated prisons had generally not been trained in managing this group and often did not take their levels of maturity into account when addressing the reasons for the increase in violence.

35.The HMIP annual report also found that prisoners in dedicated young adult establishments said they felt even less safe than in prisons where they were integrated with adults, and that dedicated prisons were generally less safe than integrated prisons with high levels of violence. This has implications for staffing levels, multi-disciplinary work and staff training. For further information on the government’s approach to young adults in custody see the Prison Reform Trust’s submission to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on Transforming the Management of Young Adult Offenders in Custody http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/PRT%20submission %20- %20Transforming%20management%20of%20young%20adults%20in%20cust ody.doc

17 HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (2015) Annual Report 2014-15, London: The Stationery Office What is the evidence on how outcomes across a range of measures for young adult offenders compare with other offenders?

36.See Appendix One

Taking into account the findings of the Harris Review, what measures should be prioritised in addressing levels of suicide, self-harm, and violence amongst young adult offenders currently held in custody?

37. The Prison Reform Trust’s joint report with Inquest Fatally Flawed identified poor information flow and communication between community and statutory agencies and prisons (and vice versa) as key factors behind the deaths of children and children in custody.18 We agree with the findings of the Harris review and, in particular, support recommendation 68 and other recommendations for improved information exchange within custodial establishments and between criminal justice and other agencies. We also strongly endorse the recommendation that families should be included, where appropriate, as a central component of the management and care of young people in custody.

What impact have the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms had on the transition between youth offending teams and probation services?

38.The Prison Reform Trust highlighted concerns regarding transition arrangements under Transforming Rehabilitation during the Parliamentary debate on the Offender Rehabilitation Act. In particular, we sought assurances that youth offending teams would have flexibility to continue to supervise offenders aged over 18 if it was considered to be in their best interests. This flexibility is built into the legislation. The Young Justice Boards in both England and in Wales have produced improved transition protocols to ensure a more efficient and supportive transition for young people turning 18 and moving across from Youth Offending Teams to probation services. The protocol and the new Y2A portal are welcome and should be promoted further by central government to ensure consistent application.

What legislative or other barriers are there to more appropriate practices for young adult offenders and how could these be overcome?

39.The lack of a centrally driven strategy on young adults and supporting criminal justice legislation is a significant barrier to delivering a more effective response. England and Wales lags behind other jurisdictions in delivering an effective, evidence based approach, and the poor criminal justice outcomes of this group reflect this.19 Only two legislative items are specific to young adults within criminal law:

18 Prison Reform Trust and Inquest (2012) Fatally Flawed, London: PRT and Inquest. Available at http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Fatally%20Flawed.pdf 19 See T2A (2015) ‘Better in Europe: Effective Responses to Young Adult Offending’ http://www.t2a.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/T2A_Better-in-Europe_Report-_online.pdf  The Adult Attendance Centre Requirement as part of a community sentence is available as a disposal for 18-25 year olds. This requirement is infrequently and inconsistently used.

 The sentence of DYOI is available for 18-20 year olds and entitles young adults in custody to distinct legal safeguards, including accommodation within a distinct regime. 40.It should be noted that neither disposal is consistent in its definition of young adulthood; although the adult attendance centre requirement is closest in reflecting the evidence on maturity in defining it as 18-25. NOMS commissioning guidance defines young adults as those aged 18-20, in line with current legislation on the DYOI. However, it notes that “as young adult men continue to mature into their mid-twenties, the commissioning principles articulated are likely to apply to, and therefore make a difference to, many adults over 20 and particularly those aged under 25.”20

41.The following legislative and other measures could be taken to deliver a more effective response to young adults:

42.Ministry of Justice: The Ministry of Justice should design and implement an 18-25 young adult strategy. A minister should be appointed (with cross- departmental responsibilities in the Ministry of Justice and Home Office) with responsibility for children and young adults aged 18-25. As part of a coordinated national approach, there is scope for the devolution of responsibilities to regional commissioners to improve the integration and oversight of local services for young adults. 43.NOMS: A Deputy Director of Custody should be appointed within NOMS, supported by an operational team, to be directly responsible for the young adult estate and the outcomes it achieves. 44.Sentencing: The recognition of ‘lack of maturity’ as a mitigating factor in adult sentencing guidelines should be built upon through the development of overarching principles for the sentencing of young adults (18-25), modelled on the overarching principles for young offenders. Young adults (18-25) should be subject to a full pre-sentence report for indictable offences, which specifically takes account of their level of maturity, as recommended by the Harris Review. 45.Liaison and diversion: Liaison and diversion services should be designed to include within their provision a distinct approach to young adults, including assessing for the range of vulnerabilities prevalent among this age group (e.g. brain injury and emerging mental health issues). The Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool21, currently being rolled out in youth justice settings, should be similarly applied to 18-25 year olds. 46.Probation services: All CRC and NPS should deliver a Gold Standard probation service for young adults (as defined by T2A and Clinks report

20 See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/achieving-better-outcomes-for-young-adult-men- evidence-based-commissioning-principles 21 http://www.ohrn.nhs.uk/OHRNResearch/CHAT ‘Going for Gold’22). The government should seek an amendment to the Offender Rehabilitation Act to create a legal duty for probation services to provide a distinct service for all young adults, similar to section 10 of the Act and its requirement to provide a distinct service for women. 47.Prisons: The DYOI sentence should be retained and strengthened. Sufficient staff, and an appropriate blend of staff, should be available to ensure that young adults in custody can safely participate in a full day of education, training and work. Specific training should be developed for all those working with young adults in custody, emphasising that staff should take into account the characteristics of young people’s behaviour and stage of development through appropriate role modelling, promoting and maintaining positive behaviour, and clearly defining behavioural boundaries.

What impact, if any, has the introduction of maturity as a mitigating factor in sentencing decisions had on sentencing practice for young adults? Do sentencers have sufficient information to make assessments of maturity?

48.The Prison Reform Trust welcomes the recognition of lack of maturity as a mitigating factor in sentencing guidelines. Sentencing statistics show that its use has reduced the likelihood young adults being of being sent to prison, and where custody was imposed, reduced the sentence length.23 The recognition of maturity in sentencing guidelines could be built upon through the development of overarching principles for the sentencing of young adults (18- 25), modelled on the overarching principles for young offenders. This could be used in conjunction with existing offence guidelines, but would ensure maturity is taken into account as a factor throughout the sentencing process and not just at mitigation.

49.All pre-sentence reports for young adults should include a detailed analysis of maturity and distinct needs, with clear recommendations for sentencing and how the sentence should be delivered. Pre-sentence reports help to inform sentencers of relevant factors and there is a high concordance rate between PSRs and sentences passed. T2A’s practice guide for probation ‘Taking account of maturity: A Guide for Probation Practitioners’ has been popular with probation professionals, and both NPS and CRCs are using and adapting the guide in a number of areas.

50.We support the recommendation of Lord Harris that all young adults being considered for a custodial sentence should be required to have a full pre- sentence report. Under the government’s plans for Swift and Sure Justice, we are concerned that some of the recommendations of Lord Leveson’s Review of Efficiency in Criminal Proceedings could, if implemented, lead to a

22 T2A and Clinks (2015) Effective approaches with young adults, London: Clinks. Available at http://www.t2a.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Probation-guide_Ver4_sml.pdf 23 For instance, in cases of domestic burglary, lack of maturity was taken into account in seven per cent of cases, making it the third most common mitigating factor behind “no recent or previous convictions” and “remorse”. Its use led to a reduced custody rate of 51% and, where a prison sentence was imposed, a reduction in sentence length of nine months. See https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/CCSS-Annual-2014.pdf reduction in the number of pre-sentence reports being ordered for young adults. This would reduce the knowledge sentencers have available to them, including relating to the maturity of an offender, in deciding on an appropriate sentence.

Appendix One 51.The number of young adults (aged 18–20) in prison in England and Wales has fallen by 42% in the last six years. On 30 June 2015 there were 5,050 young adults in prison. 24

52.The number of young adults sent to prison under sentence is falling. 7,308 young adults entered prison in 2014, nearly half the number in 2009.25

53.And so is the number sent to prison to await trial. 4,783 entered prison in 2014, a drop of 42% since 2009.26

54.More than two-fifths (43%) of young adults are in prison for violence against the person or robbery. One third are there for a theft or drug offence.27

55.There are 114 young adults currently in prison serving an indeterminate sentence. The majority (91) are mandatory lifers.28

Treatment and conditions 56.There are now 53 dual-designated prisons which are allowed to hold young adults together with adults (aged 21+).29

57.Two-thirds of young adults think most staff treat them with respect—compared with three-quarters of adults (77%).30

58.Young adults have the least time out of cell of all prisoners. 36% that they had less than two hours out of their cell on a weekday, and only 6% said they had over 10 hours.31

59.None of the young adult prisons inspected this year was assessed positively against all four of the Inspectorate’s healthy prison tests. None received the highest rating of ‘good’ in any of the four areas.32

24 Table A1.1, Ministry of Justice (2015) Offender management statistics, Prison population 2015, London: Ministry of Justice 25 Table A2.1, Ministry of Justice (2015) Offender management statistics, Prison receptions 2014, London: Ministry of Justice 26 Ibid. 27 Table A1.3b, Ministry of Justice (2015) Offender management statistics, Prison population 2015, London: Ministry of Justice 28 Table A1.13, Ibid. 29 Hansard HC, 9 July 2014, c326W 30 HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (2015) Annual Report 2014-15, London: The Stationery Office 31 Ibid. 32 Ibid. Safety in custody

60.There have been 52 self-inflicted deaths of young adults in custody in the last 10 years—six were in 2014, all of them young men.33

61.Young adults account for 13% of all self-harm incidents although they represent 7% of the population in custody.34

62.Two-fifths of young adults reported feeling unsafe at some point whilst in custody.35

63.More than one in 10 young adults (13%) surveyed said they had experienced some form of physical abuse from other prisoners.36

64.A similar proportion (10%) said staff had physically abused them—more than a third said they had been victimised by staff.37 The chief inspector of prisons found that local prisons in particular have struggled to cope with the introduction of young adults, who are over-represented in violent incidents and the use of force by staff.

65.However, safety is generally worse in dedicated young adult prisons than integrated ones. Fewer people said they felt safe and they had higher levels of violence.38

66.Only a third of young adult men (35%) said that, if they wanted to, they were able to speak to a Listener at any time—compared with half of adult men (52%).39

Drugs and alcohol 67.One in three young adults reported having a drug problem when they arrived into prison.40

68.15% of young adults reported arriving into prison with an alcohol problem— however these figures almost certainly underestimate the scale of the problem, as many of those with alcohol problems will fail to recognise or acknowledge them.41

33 Table 1.6, Ministry of Justice (2015) Safety in custody statistics quarterly update to March 2015, London: Ministry of Justice 34 Table 2.3, Ministry of Justice (2014) Safety in Custody Statistics Update to March 2014 - Self harm in prison custody 2004 to 2013, London: Ministry of Justice and Table A1.1, Ministry of Justice (2014) Offender Management Statistics Prison Population 2014, London: Ministry of Justice 35 HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (2015) Annual Report 2014-15, London: The Stationery Office 36 Ibid. 37 Ibid. 38 Ibid. 39 Ibid. 40 Ibid. 41 Ibid. 69.19% of young adults said they had children themselves. This compares to 4% of the general population who are young fathers.42

70.16–24 year-olds are more likely than any other age group to become a victim of crime.43

71.Young people who are not in education or employment are twenty times more likely to commit a crime. 47% of young people aged 17–24 were in education, training or employment at the time of their arrest.44

30 September 2015

42 Ministry of Justice (2012) Prisoners’ childhood and family backgrounds, London: Ministry of Justice 43 Table D1, Office for National Statistics (2014) Annual Trend and Demographic Tables - Crime in England and Wales, Year Ending March 2014, London: ONS 44 Young People in Focus (2009) Young Adults Today: Education, Training and Employment, London: Young People in Focus