The number of young adults in England and Wales facing life or long-term prison sentences has nearly doubled over the past decade, prompting growing concern among criminal justice experts.
New data reveals that 50 offenders aged 18 to 20 received life or indeterminate sentences in 2024, compared with 30 in 2014, highlighting a significant shift in sentencing patterns.
Figures show that 6 per cent of young adults in prison are now serving life sentences, up from just 2 per cent a decade ago. Many of those affected are facing sentences equal to or longer than their age.
The findings come from research by the Prison Reform Trust, which warns that long-term imprisonment at a young age can have lasting impacts on mental health and development.
A report from the charity’s Building Futures programme, based on interviews with young inmates, highlights the emotional and psychological toll of long sentences.
One prisoner said: “Being convicted at such a young age was heartbreaking – I would not come out of my room for months at a time; I’d barely be able to do the most basic things such as eat or shower.”
Another added: “To begin with, I didn’t understand much about life in prison or the seriousness and impact my sentence and conviction would have on me.”
He continued: “I’m still struggling with” the long-term consequences of his conviction.
Others described the challenge of growing up in custody, saying: “The issue with maturing in prison is that it is harder to transition into a man and move forward.”
There are currently more than 10,000 young adults aged 18 to 24 in prison across England and Wales, accounting for around 12 per cent of the total prison population.
Experts say many young offenders have experienced trauma, time in care or exclusion from school, and require targeted support.
Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, said the findings shine a “stark light” on the realities faced by young people serving lengthy sentences.
She said: “But if the state imposes such lengthy sentences on young people, it also carries a responsibility to ensure they can grow, develop and ultimately build a life beyond the prison walls.”
She added: “Without meaningful reform, we are setting them up to fail.”
The Ministry of Justice acknowledged challenges within the prison system and said it is focused on rehabilitation.
A spokesperson said: “This Government inherited a prison system in crisis and we are committed to getting offenders into meaningful and purposeful activity so they can turn their backs on crime.”
They added that efforts are being made to expand access to education, training and employment opportunities to reduce reoffending.