The Long-Term Consequences of Imprisoning Our Youth: The Lasting Impact of Time Spent in Adult Jails and Prisons.

This article examines the long-term effects of incarcerating youth aged 16 and 17 in adult jails or prisons in New York State, using a 24-year follow-up of all such youth arrested in 1987. The study finds that youth who experienced adult confinement recidivate more frequently, more quickly, and have longer criminal careers compared to similar youth who were not incarcerated in adult facilities. Additionally, the research highlights that granting youthful offender status—which seals the criminal record and removes public stigma—reduces recidivism regardless of incarceration experience. These findings challenge the deterrence-based rationale for adult punishment of juveniles and suggest that adult incarceration may hinder developmental processes critical for desistance, thereby negatively impacting public safety over the life course.