Halfway treatment is alternative of institutional treatment. It means halfway house into prison and referral to child welfare institution is representative disposition in Juvenile Justice. Protective disposition No.6 applies to child or juvenile under vulnerable family environment. Halfway house plays a role of parent for them during 6 month. Among all protective disposition, application rate of disposition no. 6 is under 4%. It results from lack of understanding of disposition no.6 and from lack of facilities.
This study suggests the way to improve disposition No.6 as follows:
First, identity of disposition No.6 needs more clarity. Disposition No.6 is obviously halfway treatment, but actual operational situation is similar to institutional treatment. Thus, the halfway house should be semi-opened facility and need to break punitive and correctional perspectives.
Second, it is vital to select proper juveniles for disposition No.6. The appropriate subject for disposition No.6 are juveniles under vulnerable home environment so that recovery of family function should be available through the role of halfway house. Moreover, they need to get used to a group life. Mentally disordered or violent juveniles should be excluded.
Third, child welfare institution need to operate by national budget not by local government. Also, facility standard have to meet that of child welfare institution, which operate 24hours, not that of child care institution. Regarding the standard of worker should be strengthened.
Forth, development of specialized program and monitoring of effectiveness of the program are also important to differentiate from disposition No.1 facilities.
Fifth, supervision of management for the disposition No.6 facility needs to be tightened for systemic operation. Aftercare facility such as Independent Living Center should be provided. Also, juveniles need to be connected to probation before discharge from the disposition No.6 facilities without the gap of treatment.
Sixth, regarding legislative improvements, provisions for budget support by nation need to be newly established. Also, related provisions of basic living security need to be revised in order not to make financial gap. Elementary and Secondary Education Act should be revised for educational support.