Sentencing Young Adults

Fact 1

People who are 18-24 years old at the time of Sentencing are considered Young Adults.

151,188

YOUNG ADULTS WERE SENTENCED IN 2024¹

Fact 2

15%

of all sentences where age was recorded.

Fact 3

Young adults are slightly less
likely to receive a custodial
sentence, and more likely to
receive a Community Order,
Suspended Sentence Order, or
a discharge.

*Note: These charts do not account for the types of offences committed in each age group. For example, while young adults account for 15% of all sentenced individuals, they make up a higher proportion of all people sentenced for indictable-only (more serious) offences (21%) than summary (less serious) offences (15%).

Fact 4

Distribution of Custodial Sentence Lengths

*Note: As above, this comparison does not account for the types of offences committed in each age group.

Fact 5

Reoffending Rates by Age Group²

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 MoJ 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