Young adults are significantly over-represented in the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Despite representing just 10 per cent of the population, those aged 18–24 account for 30 to 40 per cent of probation service caseloads and prison entrants each year.

This analysis of administrative data over a thirteen year period offers several key insights into trends in the use of court procedures against those aged 18-24 in England and Wales by highlighting the significant overall drop in use of court appearances, but demonstrating the growing disparities between ethnic groups and geographical areas.

Published in September 2022 by the University of Sheffield.