NCJ Number
87781
Date Published
1982
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This discussion of corrections in Japan considers prison industries, remands, the status of prison officers and human rights, prisoners' exchange arrangements, the problems of drug offenders in prisons, and accreditation and international status.
Abstract
In Japan, 90 percent or more of the prisoners are employed. The costs of maintaining sentenced prisoners are almost covered by the prison industry proceeds. Prisoners are paid according to the skill level required for the work done. Seven out of 74 prisons are used as general vocational training centers. Prisoners from all institutions are selected to participate in the 54 training courses offered at the seven institutions. The remand population is detained in sections of the prisons separate from convicted inmates, and principles and methods of treatment are substantially different for the two populations. Prison officers are part of the public service, but they are selected from among those who have passed the prison officers' recruitment examination. Certain background and physical requirements must be met by recruits. A structure is provided for prisoner complaints which enables inmates to petition the Minister of Justice without prior access to the petition by prison officials. Currently, there are no arrangements between Japan and other countries for the exchange of prisoners. Such agreements would pose some legal as well as social problems for the administration of justice in Japan. The number of drug-abusing inmates has increased in recent years. Since most such inmates have become free of the physiological effects of drugs by the time of their admission, treatment programs are geared toward psychological dependency. The most serious management problem is posed by those drug offenders involved with organized crime groups, as they attempt to bring their criminal lifestyle into the prison. The Ministry of Justice has sought the full implementation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners through amended ministerial circulars. Extensive tabular and graphic data are provided.