Brazilian Youth in Custody Drops 54% Over 9 Years, But Pace Slows
The number of adolescents serving closed socio-educational measures in Brazil has decreased by 54% over nine years, falling from 26,450 in 2016 to 12,203 in 2025, according to the Brazilian Public Security Yearbook. The national rate in 2025 was 50.7 adolescents per 100,000 inhabitants aged 12 to 20. Despite this significant cumulative reduction, the pace of decrease has slowed, with stabilization observed in the last two years, including a 2.5% increase between 2023 and 2024, and a 1.2% increase between 2024 and 2025. This recent stability might mask an increase, as Minas Gerais did not submit its 2025 data, according to the report by the Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP). While overall closed-custody measures declined, provisional and sanctionary detentions saw substantial increases of 60.7% and 47.2% respectively between 2024 and 2025. Semi-liberty measures also grew by 34% in the past year. The population in closed socio-educational measures is predominantly male (93.4%), self-identifies as Black or mixed-race (73.7%), and is aged 16 to 18 (76.1%). The most common offenses are robbery (29.1%) and drug trafficking (27.9%), often linked to income generation rather than violent crimes. These figures emerge as discussions about lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 16 gain traction in Congress, a move researchers argue is misguided given that 16-18 year olds already account for over three-quarters of detentions and that the system has halved its youth population in the last decade.
The reported 54% decrease in adolescents under closed socio-educational measures in Brazil over nine years, alongside a record high in femicides and a historic low in overall homicides, presents a complex picture of public safety trends. The slowing reduction rate and recent increases in specific detention types suggest potential systemic inefficiencies or shifting patterns in juvenile justice. The demographic profile of detained youth—overwhelmingly male, Black or mixed-race, and between 16-18—highlights persistent socioeconomic and racial disparities within the justice system. As Brazil debates lowering the age of criminal responsibility, the data indicates that adolescents in this age group are already heavily represented in the system, raising questions about the efficacy and potential unintended consequences of such policy changes. Future policy should consider evidence-based interventions focused on root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of opportunity, rather than solely on punitive measures, especially given the system's capacity for rehabilitation and the demographic realities.
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