Support Measures for the Social Reintegration of Juveniles released from Juvenile Detention Centers

To promote the healthy development of juveniles, it is imperative to shift the focus beyond law enforcement, prosecution, and judicial proceedings, addressing the later stages of rehabilitation and post-incarceration reintegration. Effectively reducing juvenile crime necessitates a holistic approach encompassing prevention, early intervention, and correctional education, alongside structured and comprehensive support systems. This includes strengthening juvenile detention facilities and implementing measures to facilitate their successful and expedited reintegration into society.This study examined the current status of social reintegration support for juveniles released from juvenile detention centers. In countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan, collaborative efforts between central and local governments are evident in their proactive planning for the social reintegration of juvenile detainees. These measures, implemented before the juveniles’ admission to detention facilities, aim to facilitate smoother societal adaptation following their release, thereby promoting effective reintegration and social inclusion.To effectively reduce the recidivism rate among juvenile offenders and facilitate their stable reintegration into society, the concept of social reintegration must be applied comprehensively across all dispositions, from Level 1 to Level 10, within the juvenile justice system, not limited solely to juvenile detention centers. Accordingly, it is proposed that provisions for social reintegration support be incorporated into Chapter 5, “Delinquency Prevention,” of the Juvenile Law. This would ensure that all juveniles in the juvenile justice system have access to structured support to promote their successful reintegration into society.To ensure the stable social reintegration of juvenile detainees, the Housing and Livelihood Support Program should work in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport to enhance the utilization of rental housing and with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish a system that guarantees juvenile detainees are not excluded from accessing the self-support settlement fund. Additionally, for the healing and recovery of juveniles with emotional and behavioral challenges, the program should be expanded to include partnerships with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s Dedim Center, a residential treatment facility, as well as the Hug Job Support Program, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Employment and Labor.A structured system should be established to deliberate on the methods and approaches for supporting juvenile offenders before their admission to juvenile detention, ensuring informed decision-making regarding their placement. This system should be integrated with inter-ministerial information-sharing platforms, such as the Integrated Management System for Crisis Youth, to enable comprehensive aftercare for the social reintegration of juvenile offenders. The system can provide holistic and effective support by linking with diverse community resources, rather than relying solely on the information network within the Ministry of Justice.