Prison campaign groups say the practice has been adopted by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) to allow more flexibility over where offenders are placed in light of overcrowding issues.
But there are concerns that the policy means young adults being placed in an environment that is not age-appropriate.
Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Young offenders being placed in adult prisons is something we are seeing more and more. Young adults are a distinct group that need distinct provision.
“Although attempts can still be made to offer distinct provision in a mixed setting, it is clearly not as good as having dedicated institutions working with that age group."
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