Characteristics and risk of reimprisonment among children and young adults in Norwegian prisons. A 20-year cohort study

Children, adolescents and young adults are in developmentally sensitive stages and can be disproportionally negatively impacted by imprisonment, yet these age groups are rarely described. Complete records of all persons aged 15–34 imprisoned in Norway in the period 2000–2019 (n = 52,588) were linked with data from sociodemographic and police registries. Imprisoned children and adolescents were characterized by several markers for socioeconomic disadvantage, convictions for serious crime, and high rates of reimprisonment. Over the last 20 years, the number of children and adolescents in Norwegian prisons has declined, while their criminal profiles become increasingly severe. Children and adolescents are characterized by an accumulation of sociodemographic and family-related risk factors and have an increased risk of reimprisonment even when controlling for a number of relevant factors. Preventative measures both in the community and in prison must be aimed at children and adolescents at risk. •Imprisoned children and adolescents have markers for socioeconomic disadvantage.•They have serious convictions and high reimprisonment rates.•Interventions for children and families at risk can prevent crime and imprisonment.•We need specialized prisons focused on the needs of children and adolescents.