United Kingdom
With a criminal record
Key points
- The number of 18- to 20-year-olds found guilty of an indictable offence fell between 1999 and 2004 but has remained broadly unchanged since then.
- 47,000 people aged 18 to 20 were found guilty of an indictable offence in 2010. This represents around 2% of the age group.
- 90% of those found guilty are men.
- Black young adults are four times as likely as White young adults to be in prison and six times as likely as Asian young adults.
Graph 1: Over time
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Graph 2: By ethnic group
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Why this indicator was originally chosen
Possession of a criminal record constitutes a significant barrier to employment for young adults, which may leave them economically disadvantaged and indeed increase the chances of re-offending. The barriers which face ex-offenders lie on two main fronts: first, employer discrimination; second, the low levels of skills and qualifications amongst offenders, their poor self-esteem, and behavioural and health problems which can reduce their chances of securing a job. Employment and training for ex-offenders, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Findings, 1998.
Unemployment may itself increase the chances of criminality. Economic and social disadvantages have been identified as widely occurring features in the background and upbringing of many young adult offenders. For example, A False Sense of Security, The Children's Society, 1993, page 34. Also, see Young offenders speak for themselves, London: The Portobello Trust, 1996, page 1. Also, see Joseph Rowntree Foundation Employment and training for ex-offenders, 1998. And imprisonment can result in increased risks of suicide and self-harm, by up to six times. Dennehy, A, Smith, L and Harker, P Not to be ignored, Child Poverty Action Group, page 62.
Definitions and data sources
The first graph shows the number of young men and women aged 18 to 20 who were convicted of an indictable offence in each year.
The data source is the Ministry of Justice's Criminal Justice Statistics for England and Wales.
The second graph shows, for the latest year, the likelihood of being in prison under sentence across different ethnic groups. These likelihoods are expressed in terms of the number of offenders aged 20 or younger sentenced who are UK nationals and were in prison in June 2005 per 1,000 population aged 16 to 20 of the relevant ethnic group.
The data source is the Ministry of Justice Offender Management Caseload Statistics. The data relates to England and Wales.
The figures are for UK nationals only and therefore exclude foreign nationals, with it being assumed that the prison proportion who are foreign nationals is similar for the 16 to 20 age group as for the all-age proportions.
The population estimates are perforce from the 2001 Census, with those of mixed race being included in the relevant ethnic minority group (e.g. 'White and Asian' being included in 'Asian').
Overall adequacy of the indicator: medium. The data is dependent upon administrative practices of the police and the judicial system.
External links
- For a discussion of the links between crime, deprivation and social exclusion, see the crimeinfo website.
- See the Youth Justice Board site.
Relevant 2007 Public Service Agreements
Overall aim: Increase the number of children and young people on the path to success
Lead department
Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Official national targets
Reduce the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training by 2 percentage points by 2010.
Reduce the under-18 conception rate by 50% by 2010 as part of a broader strategy to improve sexual health.
Other indicators of progress
Young people participating in positive activities.
Young people frequently using drugs, alcohol or volatile substances.
First-time entrants to the Criminal Justice System aged 10-17.
Overall aim: Increase the proportion of socially excluded adults in settled accommodation and employment, education or training
Lead department
Cabinet Office.
Official national targets
None.
Other indicators of progress
Care leavers at 19 in suitable accommodation.
Offenders under probation supervision and in settled and suitable accommodation.
Adults in contact with secondary mental health services in settled accommodation.
Adults with learning disabilities in settled accommodation.
Care-leavers at 19 in education, training and employment.
Offenders under probation supervision in employment.
Adults in contact with secondary mental health services in employment.
Adults with learning disabilities in employment.
The numbers
Graph 1
| Thousands | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Males convicted | Females convicted |
| 1991 | 65.3 | 8.1 |
| 1992 | 58.9 | 7.3 |
| 1993 | 50.0 | 6.3 |
| 1994 | 50.3 | 6.2 |
| 1995 | 47.4 | 5.7 |
| 1996 | 46.3 | 5.7 |
| 1997 | 48.4 | 6.3 |
| 1998 | 51.8 | 7.1 |
| 1999 | 52.6 | 7.6 |
| 2000 | 49.9 | 7.5 |
| 2001 | 48.2 | 7.0 |
| 2002 | 46.6 | 6.9 |
| 2003 | 43.8 | 6.2 |
| 2004 | 39.9 | 5.7 |
| 2005 | 38.5 | 5.3 |
| 2006 | 39.0 | 4.8 |
| 2007 | 40.6 | 4.6 |
| 2008 | 38.3 | 4.7 |
| 2009 | 39.8 | 5.0 |
| 2010 | 41.5 | 5.1 |
Graph 2
| Asian | 0.14% |
|---|---|
| White | 0.21% |
| Black | 0.82% |