ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of European research on the transition between juvenile offending and adult crime that is relevant for policymakers, researchers and practitioners. It reviews relevant European longitudinal studies. The chapter presents some major cross-sectional studies that provide information about important across Europe and the United States. It looks at Europe's highly heterogeneous policy responses to young offenders, including age limits of juvenile penal laws, sentencing, and drug and alcohol policies. The chapter focuses on European reviews of studies on the effectiveness of treatment programmes, particularly with respect to adolescent and young adult offenders. It also looks at more specifically at incarceration of minors. The chapter focuses on studies that are relevant to the understanding of crime during late adolescence and early adulthood, including studies outside of the field of criminology. It finds the European research is often comparative and international.
