Legal Education for Youth in Conflict with the Law: A Restorative Approach in Yogyakarta Juvenile Detention Center

Pendidikan Hukum bagi Remaja yang Berkonflik dengan Hukum: Pendekatan Restoratif di Pusat Penahanan Remaja Yogyakarta

Abstract

Introduction:
Conventional juvenile justice systems continue to prioritize punitive approaches over rehabilitative and restorative frameworks, thereby constraining opportunities for meaningful reintegration of young offenders into society. This punitive orientation is further compounded by widespread legal illiteracy among detained youth, which deepens their marginalization and limits their capacity to understand, exercise, and defend their legal rights.

Purposes:
This study seeks to examine the role of restorative legal education in empowering youth in conflict with the law, with a particular focus on its implementation at a juvenile detention center in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Method:
The research employs a qualitative case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observations, and program evaluation materials involving detained juveniles, legal educators, and correctional staff. Data triangulation was applied to enhance analytical validity and reliability.

Findings and Results:
The findings indicate that restorative legal education significantly enhanced participants’ legal awareness, sense of responsibility, and conflict-resolution capacities. Youth participants demonstrated increased self-reflection, improved understanding of the consequences of their actions, and a heightened readiness for social reintegration within their families and communities.

Urgency:
The study highlights the urgent need for restorative approaches within juvenile justice systems as a means of reducing recidivism, preventing stigmatization, and strengthening the protection of children’s rights in custodial settings.

Contribution:
This research contributes to the literature on juvenile justice reform by integrating legal education with restorative justice principles, offering an alternative framework that prioritizes empowerment, accountability, and rehabilitation over punishment.

Recommendation:
The study recommends the institutionalization of restorative legal education programs across juvenile detention facilities at the national level, supported by policy reforms, educator training, and cross-sectoral collaboration.