Sentencing Young Adults
Key Facts and Statistics
by Annalena Wolcke & Raphael Freund
Last updated: Jul 2026
Fact 1
People who are 18-24 years old at the time of Sentencing are considered Young Adults.
149,256
YOUNG ADULTS WERE SENTENCED IN 20251
Fact 2
In 2025, sentences for young adults
accounted for 14% of all sentences where age was recorded.
Fact 3
Young adults were slightly less
likely to receive a prison
sentence, and slightly more likely to receive a Suspended Sentence or Community Order in 2025.
Note: These charts do not account for the types of offences committed in each age group. For example, while young adults account for 14% of all sentenced individuals, they make up a higher proportion of all people sentenced for indictable-only (more serious) offences (22%) than summary (less serious) offences (12%).
Fact 4
Distribution of Custodial Sentence Lengths, 2025
Note: As above, this comparison does not account for the types of offences committed in each age group.
Fact 5
Reoffending Rates by Age Group (2022-2023)2
Among young adults, the re-offending rate is higher for 18 to 20 year olds (26.4%) than for 21 to 24 year olds (23.8%).
Note: The Ministry of Justice defines reoffending as any offence committed in a one-year follow-up period that leads to a court conviction, caution, reprimand, or warning.
Fact 6
The average number of reoffences per person peaks after young adulthood
| Age Group | Average # of Reoffences (2022-23) |
|---|---|
| 18 to 20 | 3.17 |
| 21 to 24 | 3.49 |
| 25 to 29 | 3.93 |
| 30 to 34 | 4.32 |
| 35 to 39 | 4.45 |
| 40 to 44 | 4.18 |
| 45 to 49 | 3.89 |
| 50+ | 3.58 |
Fact 7
11% of all women
15% of all men
sentenced in 2025 were young adults.
This infographic is one of a series on sentencing trends in England & Wales. Others can be found here. For further information, contact Annalena Wolcke at [email protected]
- Facts 1-4, 7: Data calculated from Ministry of Justice (2026), Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly: December 2025, published 30th of April. Outcomes by offence data tool, Table 2. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly-december-2025. ↩︎
- Facts 5-6: Data calculated from: Ministry of Justice (2025). Proven Reoffending Statistics: Proven reoffending tables (annual average), April 2022 to March 2023, published 30th of January, various tables.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/proven-reoffending-statistics-january-to-march-2023. ↩︎