By C1 Staff
UNITED KINGDOM — The United Kingdom’s Commons Justice Committee reported that 18 to 25-year-old offenders should be kept out of adult prisons because their brains are still developing.
The BBC reported that due to brain development, which occurs until age 25, the age group has the greatest potential to not offend again.
Although the government said “significant efforts” have been made to prevent juvenile offenders, the screening to identify what help is needed needs to improve.
The report said that a person’s “temperance - the ability to evaluate the consequences of actions and to limit impulsiveness and risk-taking” is still developing until age 25.
The committee said the National Offender Management Service programs did not recognise the needs of the offenders, but it welcomes the development of a maturity assessment. They also called for more mental disorder screenings and learning and communication needs.
The number of young offenders in the criminal justice system has fallen, but the data reported suggests 18 to 25-year-olds still account for up to 40 percent of the criminal population.
Although the age group deals with a 75 percent reconviction rate, the committee said they have the “greatest potential to stop offending as they grow out of crime.”