Educational achievement and relational support among justice-involved youth in secure care: age group differences in South Korea

Using administrative data from youth correctional institutions in South Korea, this study explores how pre-placement risk factors and institutional experiences during secure placement are associated with post-release outcomes. Youth were divided into younger and older groups to examine whether these associations differ by age. Hierarchical logistic regression was conducted separately for each group, including pre-placement characteristics such as sex, school dropout, mental health treatment, and parental separation, as well as institutional experiences including family visits, the frequency of staff-issued points, and educational or vocational credentials earned. Among younger youth, frequent family visitation was linked to reduced recidivism, while prior school dropout predicted increased risk. Among older youth, earning credentials was associated with lower recidivism, whereas a history of mental health treatment increased risk. These findings highlight the need for age-specific supports in secure care settings that address both prior vulnerabilities and promote meaningful experiences during placement.