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 White paper on crime 2007 Part7/Chapter5/Section3/2 

2 Main measures for improving and strengthening the probation/parole supervision program

(1) Priority basis in the implementation of effective treatment
  Efforts have been made to strengthen the supervision of parolees with long term sentences, juveniles who have committed heinous serious crimes, and so on. The direct involvement of probation officers has been strengthened and supervision of parolees has been conducted on a priority basis in cooperation with volunteer probation officers. Starting in 2007, probation officers have been providing intensive and continuous guidance and support to those with a high risk of injuring others and those requiring the most attentive treatment, such as parolees whose living condition or mental state had become noticeably unstable during long-term sentences, juveniles who had committed heinous serious offenses of complex characters or environments, and other issues, and those with repeated violent offenses such as robbery, injury, and violence, in order to prevent such persons from committing repeat offenses. Also, from the same year, prison parolees and offenders given suspension of execution of sentence with probationary supervision who have violent tendency and also have drug or alcohol addiction problems which may encourage the violent tendency have been identified as “designated violent offenders”, and have been provided with intensive and specialized guidance with strong involvement of the probation officers.

(2) Obligatory treatment programs for sexual offenders
  In regard to probation/parole supervision, since 2006, prison parolees and offenders given suspension of execution of sentence who are sexual offenders have been obliged to take part in treatment programs as a special condition of their probation/parole supervision, if they have been categorized as “sexual offenses, etc.” (see Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 2, 2(2)).
  Moreover, the newly enacted Offenders Rehabilitation Act provides that those under probation/parole supervision may be obliged, as a special condition of their probation/parole supervision, to take part in specialized treatment programs, such as the treatment program for sexual offenders designated by the Minister of Justice, and expressly states that if the special condition is violated in any way the probationer/parolee may have their suspension of execution of sentence or parole revoked, or (re-)admitted to juvenile training school.

(3) Strengthening understanding of actual living conditions through obligatory interviews
  Pursuant to the Offenders Rehabilitation Act, all parolees and probationers under supervision are, as a general condition of their probation/parole supervision, required to report to and be interviewed by their probation officer or volunteer probation officer regarding their actual living conditions, thus allowing the probation officers to get a grip on the location and actual living conditions of parolees and probationers and to conduct their supervision more effectively, as well provide guidance and assistance.

(4) Implementation of a victim awareness program
  While efforts had previously been made to prevent recidivism by providing atonement guidance to particular parolees and probationers on an individual basis, a victim awareness program has been implemented since March 2007, pursuant to the Basic Act on Crime Victims enforced in April 2005 and the Basic Plan for Crime Victims established in December the same year.
  The purpose of the program is to urge subjects under supervision who have committed serious crimes against victims to not only resolve not to commit offenses again but also to deal sincerely with victims giving considerations to their feelings, by making them recognize the seriousness of their acts and deepen their repentance through carrying out prescribed tasks.

(5) Enhance probationary supervision of offenders given suspension of execution of sentence
  In March 2006, a partial amendment was made to the Act for Probationary Supervision of Persons under Suspension of Execution of Sentence. And, regarding persons who were given a suspension of execution of sentence with probation after September 19, 2006, the enforcement date of the abovementioned amendment, the chief probation officer has been working on more effective reformation and rehabilitation of such persons through establishing special conditions in accordance with the characteristics of the person, reflecting the opinion of the presiding court, and providing guidance and supervision on ensuring they observe such conditions. And the chief probation officer is to make a decision on whether to allow them to move residence as well as to make trips of seven or more days to prevent the whereabouts of the person from becoming unknown. The Act for Probationary Supervision of Persons under Suspension of Execution of Sentence was abolished by the enforcement of the Offenders Rehabilitation Act, which contains the same provisions as above.

(6) Other measures
  In addition, measures to deal with missing parolees/probationers (see Section 4, 2(3) of this Chapter), a comprehensive job assistance scheme for persons released from prisons, etc. (see Section 4, 3 of this Chapter), and promotion of the Self-Support Rehabilitation Promotion Center plan (see Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 6, 2(5)) have been implemented.