The aim of this paper is to identify whether the specific developmental needs of young adults are taken into account by courts when making decisions about whether to remand defendants into custody. In particular it looks at:

• whether there are provisions in the law which require a distinctive approach to young adults at the remand stage of criminal proceedings
• whether the criminal justice agencies and courts consider the maturity of young adult defendants when making decisions about remanding them
• the adequacy of alternatives to remand in custody available for young adults, particularly young women, people from BAME backgrounds and defendants with mental health problems
• the impact of proposals made by the Government, including those in the White Paper ‘A Smarter Approach to Sentencing’, on young adult bail and remand decisions
• what measures could be taken to improve the distinctiveness of remand arrangements for young adults.

Published in January 2021 by Transition to Adulthood.