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 White paper on crime 2007 Part2/Chapter4/Section2/1 

Section 2  Treatment of Sentenced Inmates, etc.

1 Overview of treatment

  The Penal Detention Facilities Act was enforced and efforts have been made to improve treatment of sentenced inmates (see this Chapter Section 4, Item 1 and 3).
  Fig. 2-4-2-1 shows the flow of treatment of a sentenced inmate in a penal institution.
  Based on the Penal Detention Facilities Act, treatment of sentenced inmates aims to make inmates aware of themselves according to their individual attributes and environment, arouse their willingness to reform and rehabilitate themselves, and foster their ability to adapt to social life. Correctional treatment has come to be carried out mainly through three types of activities: work, guidance for reform, and guidance in school courses.

Fig. 2-4-2-1  Flow of treatment of a sentenced inmate

  Correctional treatment is implemented based on a treatment guideline that specifies goals, basic contents and methods for individual inmates' correctional treatment in response to assessment of their personal characteristics and environments. Sentenced inmates are to be classified into groups as needed for carrying out effective treatment. The classification for that purpose is called group classification of inmates.
  Establishment of treatment guidelines and group classification are based on assessment for treatment carried out before commencement of execution of sentence, and on a periodical and necessary basis, utilizing expertise and technology in medicine, psychology, education, sociology, and others.
  Special institutions are designated as assessment centers in each of the Regional Correction Headquarters, which make the detailed assessment of (i) newly imprisoned juvenile sentenced inmates under 16 years of age whose term of imprisonment is three months or more, (ii) newly imprisoned male juvenile sentenced inmates 16 years of age or older but under 20 years of age whose term of imprisonment is one year or more, and who have never been imprisoned before (excluding those classified into Class F), (iii) newly imprisoned male sentenced inmates 20 years or older but under 26 years of age, whose term of imprisonment is one year and half or more, and who have never been imprisoned before (excluding those classified into Class F and Boryokudan (organized crime groups) members), and (iv) those for whom assessment is especially needed upon providing special rehabilitation guidance (inmates for sexual offenses, etc.).
  A treatment index is specified for respective sentenced inmates in conducting group classification. A treatment index is organized in terms of types and contents of correctional treatment and inmates' attributes and criminal tendencies. Facilities and prior policies of treatment suitable for respective inmates are determined based on the treatment index.
  Table 2-4-2-2 shows the classification and codes for a treatment index.

Table 2-4-2-2  Classification and codes for a treatment index