Should We Change the Criminal Age of Majority in England and Wales? Consideration of Young Adults Within the Youth Justice and Criminal Justice System

ABSTRACT

Current legislation and safeguarding principles are bound by narrow and inflexible constructions of childhood and adulthood. The criminal age of responsibility in England and Wales has been criticised for the responsibilisation of children from age 10 years. Criticisms have also been extended to the criminal age of majority and entry into adult institutions and services at age 18 years. There is a growing evidence base demonstrating the ongoing neurological development and complex needs of young adults (aged 18–24 years), particularly for those within the criminal justice system. This situates young adults as having vulnerabilities similar to children, thus making their criminalisation and ‘adulterisation’ as harmful. Drawing on national and international literature, this article contributes to a growing literature base by critically considering an extension of the youth justice system against a distinct young adult approach.