Transforming management of young adults in custody

The Ministry of Justice are transforming how they manage offenders, so that they are both punished when they break the law, and are also more supported to get their chaotic lives back on track.

They now want to make sure that these same principles are applied to the way young adults in custody are managed.

Young adults (18-20 year olds) who are held in custody are usually accommodated in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) rather than adult prisons.

The context in which this was an effective means of managing this group has changed, and the current approach is no longer appropriate or effective.

They are proposing a new approach to managing young adults that takes into account the challenges of this age group as well as ensuring they benefit from wider reforms.

Many young adults are still maturing and sometimes lack the skills to negotiate complex social situations.

When large numbers of people in this age group are held together, they can become so volatile it becomes difficult for staff to manage them. If this continues, there is a danger that the experience of young adults in custody will become more about containment and less about rehabilitation and supporting them to desist from offending.

In the new framework, it is proposed that all young adults will be accommodated in mixed institutions, where resources are targeted on their risks and rehabilitation and resettlement needs.

The aim is to ensure that their time in custody is both safe and effective.