By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Lack of Stabilizing Forces Attributed to Number of Young Adults Accused of Serious Crimes

May 24, 2016 | 2:26 PM

CANADA – It’s a statistic which is likely not to come as a surprise. Young adults age 18 to 24 are more likely to be accused of serious crimes than individuals in any other age group.

Recent data from Statistics Canada shows that rates of individuals accused of homicide and attempted murder, as well as assault, were highest among young adults compared to older adults and youth.

Based on police reports compiled from 2014, research indicates this group also had the highest rates of mischief, disturbing the peace and criminal code traffic violations, like impaired driving.

According to police, crime rates peak at age 17 and then decline steadily through young adulthood.

Aaron Eyjolfson, an instructor at the School of Justice Studies at Lethbridge College said that an “aging out” of criminal behaviour is attributed to several life transitions.

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“I relate this to emotional maturity. These people tend to be risk takers and impulsive with underdeveloped decision making skills. They tend not to have life partners, kids or established careers at that age, things that are part of the maturation process and can act as stabilizing forces,” he said.

Eyjolfson also attributed lifestyle choices to the trend and said that those in this age bracket are a reflection of their peer group who may socialize at bars and use recreational drugs.

“From my research and experience, 70 to 80 per-cent of those who are incarcerated or in jail are there because of something related to alcohol or drugs. When it comes to violence, alcohol is the worst,” he said.

Women comprised about one in four (24%) young adults accused of crime in 2014, the same proportion as among older adults.

Eyjolfson said that while data indicating the prevalence of young male offenders is nothing new, there is one very important preventative measure.

The instructor suggested diverting young people from the justice system whenever possible.

“Sure correctional services of Canada have some great programs, but they aren’t nearly as effective as being around responsible parents and mentors in the community.”

Eyjolfson suggested having individuals complete community programs in their own home environment proves more successful in curbing re-offending .

“Once they go to prison they are will learn new [negative] skills. There is a greater chance that they are going to continue on the patch that they were already choosing for themselves.”

The data shows police-reported criminal offenses decline after age 24, which differs from the typical association between age accused and criminal offenses.

In 2014, the number of criminal offenders in the Territories peaked at age 24 and continued to remain high until about age 50.

Statistics Canada attributes these results to high rates of non-violent offenses, primarily mischief and disturbing the peace.

Eyjolfson also alluded to the disproportionate number of First Nations people bound to the criminal justice system.

“When you look at the First Nations, it is one of the fastest growing populations in Canada. When we look at the circumstances that many are currently in we see the tragic consequences of the residential school system and the inter-generational trauma that continues to come from that. That, combined with emotional immaturity, can lead to some unfortunate consequences.”