Lessons from the literature: update October 2015
4 December 2015
This review is the most recent in a series of regular updates intended to outline the latest lessons from research, policy and practice in the resettlement of young people. It provides an overview of relevant publications and developments since Beyond Youth Custody’s last update in July 2015.
This review:
- considers custody population trends for children and young adults, noting different trends in imprisonment relating to gender and ethnicity. The implications and challenges of such trends for resettlement of children and young people are considered.
- explores recent developments in the custodial estate such as: increased violence within establishments, the introduction of 30 hours of mandatory education a week for those under 18, and the announcement of the review into the youth justice system.
- summarises findings of several recently published research studies that highlight the particular vulnerabilities and safety of young people in custody. This includes research that explores pathways to suicide attempts among male prisoners, and a study that looks at how children develop coping strategies to survive the adversities of prison.