Correlation between Alcohol Use and Juvenile Criminal Patterns in Korea

Kim, Hun Soo; Kim, Hyun Sil

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between juvenile alcohol use and their criminal patterns, and to develop basic guideline data and strategies for preventing alcoholrelated criminal behavior.
METHODS
The data was collected through questionnaire surveys. Subjects serving for this study were 971 delinquent adolescents in Korea, sampled from 6 juvenile corrective institutions and 2 classification judging institutions, using a census method. Their age range was between 12 and 21 years. Data were analysed using SAS program. Statistical methods employed were Chi-square test and frequency analysis.
RESULTS
In summary, the results of this study were as follows: 1) Of 877 respondents, the number of adolescents committed criminal behaviors while intoxicated were 230 (26.2%) whereas 647 (73.8%)were in a non-intoxicated state. 2) The frequently used kinds of alcoholic beverages were soju(56.7%) beer(23.4%) whisky(16.4%) makkori(2.5%)and dongdongju(1.0%) in decreasing order. 3) Juvenile criminal behaviors under intoxication showed a higher rate of aggressive and as sault crimes, whereas non-alcohol related juvenile criminal behavior tended to commit property crimes and violations of criminal special law. 4) Most alcohol-related crimes were committed in the early mornings of weekend, while non-alcohol related crimes were committed in the afternoon(generally MD - 6pm) 5) Places committing criminal activities were in recreation ground such as disco-theque and at a street corner in alcohol using delinquent adolescents, whereas in victim's house and residential district in non-alcohol using delinquent adolescents. 6) Drunken state adolescents during committing criminal behaviors used knifves, stones or fisting-kicking as criminal tools, whereas those without criminal tools or poisonous drugs used such as anesthetics and/or foxins in non-drunken state adolescents. 7) Juvenile delinquents in an intoxicated state tended to participate in criminal activity with their peer gang group, whereas most non-alcohol related crimes were committed alone. 8) Victims assaulted by intoxicated delinquent adolescents were in a quarreling and / or drunken state, whereas non-alcohol related crimes were directed against victims in a sleeping or non-resisting state. 9) Delinquent adolescents who committed criminal behaviors in a non-intoxicated state tended to accept that their judgements of criminal acts were wrong and they had guilty and regretful feelings, whereas delinquent adolescents who committed crimes in an intoxicated state tended not to express these feelings. 10) Alcohol- related crimes tended to happen incidentally and impulsively without any clear motivation, while non-alcohol crimes tended to be purposeful, directed to make money, motivated by curiosity and a desire to live heroically.
CONCLUSIONS
The correlation between alcohol use and juvenile criminal behaviors has been examined in this study. Generally, alcohol use was found to be highly correlated with aggressive and assault crimes including robbery, burglary, and rape, etc. Therefore, We recommend that therapeutic and preventive strategies against juvenile criminal behaviors in an intoxicated state should be developed.