A Study on the Life of Juvenile Offenders Before and After Crime

The purpose of this study was to provide information on measures to reduce recidivism by examining the lives of juvenile offenders who had previously committed crimes. In order to achieve this, in-depth interviews were conducted with seven boys who had a history of punishment for recidivism, and a thematic analysis was carried out as a multi-case study. The analysis resulted in the identification of five themes: ‘ordinary child’, ‘immature boy’, ‘crime trigger’, ‘crime confinement’, and ‘limited future for boys’. Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations were made. Firstly, it was suggested that during the judicial process, experts should work with juvenile offenders to reconstruct their criminal cases in order to find ways to prevent reoffending even when exposed to the same environment, as proposed by the reintegrated numerical theory. Secondly, it was emphasized that customized case management should continue after the legal disposition has been completed, focusing on child welfare rather than the judicial system, in order to effectively prevent juvenile offenders from engaging in further criminal activities. Lastly, it was proposed that addressing the root causes of juvenile crime is essential for promoting social integration.