Interpreting the Child Behind the Offense: A Phenomenological Study of Correctional Officers’ Perspective of Juvenile Offenders in Indonesia

How correctional officers make sense of juvenile offenders may shape both how they understand rehabilitation and how they experience their work. This study explores how correctional officers in Indonesian juvenile correctional institutions construct meaning around juvenile offenders and their roles in rehabilitation. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in-depth interviews were conducted with eight officers across four institutions. Findings show that officers generally interpreted juvenile offenders through cues of vulnerability, family circumstances, and developmental needs rather than primarily through the threat of their offenses. These interpretations fostered empathetic and caregiving relationships, encouraging officers to extend support beyond their formal responsibilities. At the same time, officers developed a bounded sense of responsibility, recognizing that rehabilitation also depends on factors beyond their control, including family and community support. Experiences of behavioral change and recidivism further shaped how officers understood the meaning and outcomes of their work. Drawing on Weick's theory of sensemaking, the findings illustrate how officers construct workable interpretations of juvenile offending, rehabilitation, and their professional roles amid uncertainty and institutional constraints.