[Exclusive] Only 1 in 10 Released Prisoners Secure Employment... Concentration in Beauty and Hospitality Industries

Korea Legal Protection and Welfare Corporation Actively Supports Startups and Housing
"Need to Increase Employment in Education, Legal, Social, and Welfare Fields"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] It has been revealed that only one out of ten released inmates who completed their sentences in prison found employment.

According to data received from the Ministry of Justice by the office of Jo Sujin, a member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the People Power Party, the number of released inmates who found jobs last year was 5,122, which is about 10% of the total released population of around 50,000. By gender, males accounted for 90.7% and females 9.3%. This is because the proportion of female inmates is only 6.7%, which is lower than that of males. By age group, those in their 40s were the largest at 1,463, followed by those in their 30s (1,166) and 50s (1,182).

Most of the released inmates were found to be working in face-to-face service industries such as beauty, travel, and food services. A Korea Rehabilitation Welfare Corporation official stated, "Many are employed in beauty-related fields such as skin and hair care, as well as lodging, travel, and general restaurants." The Korea Rehabilitation Welfare Corporation provides tailored services such as accommodation, housing support, and start-up assistance to released inmates.

However, since the use of these services is not mandatory and due to lack of promotion, the content of education, and social perceptions of ex-convicts, it is difficult to increase the employment rate. In fact, only 36 released inmates found jobs in relatively stable fields such as education, law, social work, and welfare.

Professor Lee Yunho, Chair Professor of the Department of Police Science at Korea Cyber University, said, "Currently, vocational training in prisons is limited to woodworking, plastering, cooking, etc., which lacks diversity. Training should be provided in marketable occupations." He added, "If released inmates fail to maintain stable lives and end up reoffending or committing multiple offenses, the additional social costs will increase significantly."

There are also opinions that government support systems should be promoted more actively. It was confirmed that Kang (56), who has 14 prior convictions, and Kwon (53), who reoffended 3 years and 6 months after release, did not receive housing support, vocational training, or other self-reliance assistance from the Ministry of Justice or the Korea Rehabilitation Welfare Corporation. In fact, as of 2020, the recidivism rate of released inmates who received support services from the corporation was 0.6%, which is significantly lower compared to the average recidivism rate of 25%.