"Smiles with Tears in Their Eyes": Will Harsh Realities for Correctional Officers Rekindle the Correctional Administration Office Debate?

Recently, a video featuring correctional officers at a correctional facility in the greater Seoul area smiling as they answer questions about "job satisfaction" has been gaining attention.

On April 16, Seoul Southern Detention Center posted a short video titled "Prison Officer Job Satisfaction Survey" on its official social media accounts, along with the caption, "I can't even feel how happy I am." In the video, while the officers verbally say they are "happy," the subtitles read "Please save us." Although the video, which appears to have been created using camera filters, is intended to be humorous, many have noted that it vividly exposes the hardships faced in the field.

On the 16th, Seoul Southern Detention Center posted a short video titled "Prison Officer Job Satisfaction Survey" on its official social media accounts with the caption, "I can't even feel how happy I am." Seoul Southern Detention Center Instagram

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As concerns continue to mount that correctional officers' working conditions have reached their limit, the Ministry of Justice has once again begun reviewing a plan to upgrade the Corrections Headquarters to an independent agency, the Correction Agency, sparking active discussions on institutional reform. The Ministry of Justice is currently considering forming a task force for the establishment of the Correction Agency. The discussion has gained momentum after Assemblyman Chae Hyun-il of the Democratic Party of Korea proposed an amendment to the Government Organization Act that includes the creation of the Correction Agency.

In reality, correctional facilities are already operating at full capacity. As of January this year, the nationwide capacity of correctional facilities was 50,614, but the actual number of inmates stood at 65,279, resulting in an occupancy rate of 129%. In some facilities, it has been reported that one correctional officer is responsible for nearly 100 inmates. Such overcrowding directly translates into increased work burdens and safety issues for correctional officers. In addition, a series of incidents-including inmate disturbances, assaults, and feces being thrown-have further heightened concerns over the weakened control within these facilities.

The psychological burden is also evident in the data. A mental health survey of 5,600 employees at 54 correctional institutions nationwide, conducted by the Ministry of Justice, found that 19.6% were classified as "at risk." The main symptoms reported were sleep problems, burnout, and feelings of disconnection. Notably, the risk of suicide was also found to be higher among correctional officers than in the general adult population. The rate of those who had planned suicide was about 2.7 times higher, while the rate of those who had attempted suicide was about 1.6 times higher. Although correctional authorities are operating a "mental wellness check-up" counseling program, voices from the field say that without fundamental structural improvements, such efforts have their limits.

The Corrections Headquarters is the largest department within the Ministry of Justice. As of this year, there are approximately 16,800 correctional officers, accounting for over 70% of the Ministry's workforce. The budget is also close to 2 trillion won. The problem lies in the lack of an independent organizational structure. As a result, concerns have long been raised that it is difficult to improve professionalism and working conditions. The idea of upgrading the Corrections Headquarters to an agency has been discussed as a way to address these structural issues. The aim is to separate the organization so that staff expansion, better treatment, and enhanced specialization can all be pursued concurrently.

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, who has expressed a favorable position on the establishment of the Correction Agency. Photo by Yonhap News

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There have been multiple attempts to create a Correction Agency in the past, but they ultimately failed. Similar discussions took place in 1999, 2003, and 2008, but disagreements between government ministries prevented implementation. In particular, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has opposed the idea on the grounds that separating the organizations could weaken the coordination between crime prevention and investigative functions. Once again, inter-ministerial negotiations remain the biggest variable.

However, some observers note that the situation is different this time, as Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho-who has expressed a favorable stance toward the establishment of the Correction Agency-is currently heading the ministry. In 2024, more than half of the inmates were first-time offenders, but more than 12% had been incarcerated four or more times. Justice Minister Jung emphasized the necessity of crime prevention policies, stating, "Preventing even one criminal from entering prison is crucial from the perspective of reducing social costs."

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