Incarcerated Young Adults in Canada & Scotland: A Cross-National Comparative Study

• In Event: Youth, Elders & Aging Behind Bars: International Perspectives

Abstract

Interdisciplinary evidence (and a growing international consensus) suggests that young adults constitute a distinct sub-group of the adult prison population who need an institutional climate, programming, and regime that meets their developmental maturity, capacity, and capability. This presentation provides an overview of results from a cross-national study of 292 incarcerated young people and front-line correctional staff in Canada (where young adults are housed in adult prisons) and Scotland (where young adults are housed in separate Young Offender Institutions). Results highlight importance differences in rates of adjustment difficulties, internal support, fairness and treatment from staff, and dimensions of procedural justice/legitimacy.

Authors

• Carla Cesaroni, Ontario Tech University

• Kaitlin Fredericks, Brock University

• Korri Bickle, Trent University