Policy & Practice: Briefing - Don't treat young offenders likeadults

What's it saying then? The basic premise is that many young offenders are emotionally immature and easily influenced. The criminal justice system can make things worse because it views them as responsible simply because they have reached 18. Most young offenders grow out of crime during the transition to adulthood, but after age 18 they are likely to get an adult sentence, which often means custody. And custody disrupts that transition to adulthood.

But once you get the vote you are an adult, aren't you? Other areas of policy don't grant full independent adult status at this age. The reduced minimum wage applies until the age of 21, New Deal runs up to 24, and you get a lower level of state benefits until you are 25 because you are assumed to be partially dependent on your family.