Indonesia

Rate of children in detention per 100,000: 11 (2023) https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/children-in-detention/

The Republic of Indonesia Legislation No. 11 Child Criminal Justice System (2012)

(Law No.11 (2012)) increased the age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 12 years.

This law emphasizes restorative justice and diversion, aiming to keep children out of the formal criminal justice system whenever possible. The law promotes the use of diversion at all stages of the criminal process, encouraging law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges to seek alternatives to detention and formal judicial proceedings.

Machine Translation of "Law Number 11 Year 2012" (Indonesia)

Restorative justice practices are central to the Indonesian youth justice system.

These practices focus on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior through

reconciliation between the offender and the victim, community service, and other

forms of restitution. This approach is intended to help young offenders understand the impact of their actions and to reintegrate them into society as responsible citizens. Despite these progressive reforms, challenges remain in the implementation of the juvenile justice system in Indonesia. Critics have cited law enforcement officers and other stakeholders lack awareness and training on the principles of restorative justice and diversion.

Additionally, there are concerns about the consistency and fairness of the application of these principles across different regions and communities. In rural areas, traditional justice mechanisms often intersect with formal legal structures, creating unique dynamics in the administration of juvenile justice. These traditional mechanisms can sometimes complement the formal system by providing culturally relevant and community-based solutions to juvenile delinquency. There is also a risk, however, that these mechanisms may not always align with the principles of restorative justice and the best interests of the child. Overall, the Indonesian youth justice system represents a significant step forward in the protection and rehabilitation of young offenders. Continued efforts are needed to ensure that the principles of restorative justice and diversion are fully integrated into practice and that all children receive fair and equitable treatment under the law.

https://ojs.uma.ac.id/index.php/mercatoria/article/view/11122/5720

Juvenile Detention Facilities

According to Law No. 11 of 2012 on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System (SPPA), Indonesia currently has only 33 dedicated juvenile correctional facilities (LPKA). However, some children deprived of liberty are placed in Social Rehabilitation Centers (LPKS) instead.

It must recognize that placing juveniles in detention centers (RUTAN) or adult correctional facilities (LAPAS) increases their vulnerability, especially given the poor conditions of many detention centers in Indonesia. In some cities, even though LPKAs are mandated to be built separately from adult facilities, due to infrastructure limitations, they are sometimes integrated with adult detention centers, raising concerns about child protection and rehabilitation.

Data from the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, 2025 indicates that LKPA has a capacity of 4,098, but currently houses only 2,469 juveniles, which may indicate progress in upholding children's rights by reducing unnecessary detention.