People aged 18 to 24 account for a quarter of all offenders who end up behind bars and more than two thirds of them reoffend after release.
Those are some of the findings of a report published by the Irish Penal Reform Trust today.
It says that Ireland's prison system is failing too many young adults and that young people are disproportionately represented.
The Trust is demanding the government draw up a specific strategy to deal with young adults as the current set up is making them more likely to reoffend.
The report wants greater resourcing of community and youth projects aimed at diverting young people from crime.
It recommends more alternative to custody including restorative justice and rehabiliation for those exiting prison.
