By Millie Harris and Mia Edwards  

This evidence review, part of a funded by Barrow Cadbury Trust, summarises the policy context and existing evidence on young people turning 18 in the criminal justice system.

The review sets out available data on the numbers and characteristics of young people in transition in the criminal justice system. It examines young people’s experiences of transition between Youth Offending Team and adult Probation; from the children’s secure estate to adult prison; the experiences of young people at risk of harm, particularly criminal exploitation; and disparities in transition and the support available to racially minoritised young people. The review considers the multiple other transitions outside of the criminal justice system impacting young people as they turn 18.

This evidence base will inform the project’s research priorities and the development of thematic policy briefings and recommendations across the project’s three thematic focuses: custody, safeguarding young people at risk, and racial injustice.

London: Alliance for Youth Justice, 2023. 54p.