‘Jailed young people should be equipped for life outside’

Almost one third of prisoners who are locked up 23 hours a day are aged 18 to 24, campaigners have revealed.

The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice said there is no reason the State cannot halve the number of young people being sent to jail and put into severe confinement, many out of fear for their own safety.

Its research showed 18 to 24-year-olds make up about 12% of the country’s population, but a quarter of those are sent to prison each year.