Effectiveness of Criminal Sanctions against Children in Indonesia’s Juvenile Criminal Justice System: Evidence from the Aceh Regional Police
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30601/humaniora.v10i2.8285Keywords:
Juvenile criminal justice system, Criminal sanctions, Diversion, Restorative justice, Recidivism, Social reintegrationAbstract
Law Number 11 of 2012 on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System (SPPA Law) reoriented the handling of children in conflict with the law in Indonesia towards restorative justice, yet whether the sanctions imposed on children deter reoffending and support reintegration remains contested. This study examines the effectiveness of criminal sanctions against children in producing a deterrent effect and whether the rehabilitative and restorative approaches of the SPPA Law support the reintegration of child offenders. Using a juridical-empirical approach, it combines statutory and literature analysis with interviews with the head of unit and two investigators of Sub-directorate V (Youth, Children and Women), Aceh Regional Police, and a review of the unit’s 2020–2024 case records. Most dispositions took the form of coaching, rehabilitation and counselling; diversion combined with structured rehabilitation produced positive behavioural change, but the deterrent effect weakened without psychological and social support. Restorative justice, offender–victim mediation, skills education and psychological therapy, backed by family and community support, appear more conducive to preventing reoffending than conventional punishment, while limited resources, weak coordination and inadequate facilities remain obstacles. The study recommends needs-based rehabilitation, stronger inter-agency coordination and post-release monitoring of reoffending.Downloads
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