In order to enhance the effects of probation/parole supervision, the classified treatment system and the categorized treatment system have been implemented. For parolees sentenced to life or long-term imprisonment (eight years or longer term of sentence) and detained in penal institutions for a long period, the intermediate treatment system was implemented for their smooth reintegration into society. Under the intermediate treatment system, those parolees live in halfway houses for one month after release and receive training for daily living. In 2006, the intermediate treatment system was implemented for 75 parolees (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).

(1) Classified treatment system

  The classified treatment system was introduced in 1971. Based on the fixed criteria, probationers/parolees are classified into Class A or Class B according to the expected level of difficulty in treating them. For Class A probationers/parolees who have grave problems with their predispositions and environments and are expected to be difficult to treat, probation officers in charge are required to communicate and consult with volunteer probation officers, and to make well-planned and intensive meetings with probationers/parolees, their families, and related parties to give proper guidance and advice. Probation officers thus get involved in their treatment directly and deal with them intensively.
  As of December 31, 2006, the Class A ratio (meaning the ratio of those considered difficult to treat) was 17.6% for parolees and 8.4% for offenders given suspension of execution of sentence with probationary supervision (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).

(2) Categorized treatment system

  The Categorized treatment system is a system whereby probationers/parolees are divided according to the nature of their crime or delinquency, environmental conditions and other circumstances, and supervision is carried out focusing on the characteristics of each category. This system was introduced in 1990, and the number of categories was revised in 2003.
  Table 2-5-2-6 shows the major treatment categories of prison parolees and offenders given suspension of execution of sentence with probationary supervision (as of December 31, 2006).

Table 2-5-2-6  Number and percentage of prison parolees and offenders given suspension of execution of sentence with probationary supervision by treatment category (December 31, 2006)

  Individual supervision of a categorized probationer/parolee is carried out based on the treatment manual prepared for the supervision of each category, and in some probation offices, group treatment is implemented for the probationers/parolees, and meetings for their guardians and guarantors were conducted. In 2006, 16 offices held a total of 36 meetings for guarantors of stimulant drug offenders, and a total of 551 guarantors participated (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).