Young Justice Advisors – lived experience of the care and justice system
The Young Justice Advisors are a team of young adults aged 18-30 with lived experiences of the care and justice system. The team are from all over the country. They focus on highlighting the voices of those in the care and justice systems.
Formed in 2016 the Young Justice Advisors (YJA) emerged from the work of Leaders Unlocked. Through this YJA project a unique group of young adults with lived experience of the justice and care system, came together to become policy advisors and advocates for lived experience voices and change at the national level. In 2017 YJA published its ‘Race and Criminal Justice’ report and worked closely with the Lammy Review team at the MoJ.
Over the last six years YJA has continued to work with a range of agencies including the Ministry of Justice, HMPPS, Youth Justice Board, MOPAC, and the Justice Select Committee.
It has produced guidance to support young people in the justice system written by young adults with first hand experience. It also conducts peer to peer research with young people in custody and inputs into staff training on how to best engage with young adults.
