Napo, a trade union and professional association that campaigns on behalf of probation and family court staff said youth offending teams have proven to be "very successful" at reducing reoffending rates.
"Extending them to work with [18- to 21-year-olds] would enable a smooth transition to probation, reduce reoffending and reduce the number going into custody," the organisation's manifesto for the general election states.
Calls have previously been made for the move by Labour.
In 2014, then shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan said the change could help reduce the numbers of 18- to 20-year-olds coming into contact with the justice system and being imprisoned, replicating improvements seen with under-18s.
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