3 Measures for probationers/parolees

(1) Good-conduct measures

Good-conduct measures are utilized when a probationer/parolee is deemed to be maintaining a sound life attitude and is therefore deemed capable of being a good independent member of society and of reforming/rehabilitating themselves. The good-conduct measures include termination of indeterminate sentence for indeterminate sentence parolees and provisional discharge from probation for probationers. In 2009, 405 probationers were granted provisional discharge from probation but no parolee was granted termination of indeterminate sentence (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).

(2) Bad-conduct measures

Bad-conduct measures are utilized when a probationer/parolee has violated the conditions for their probation/parole supervision or committed an offense during the period of their supervision. The bad-conduct measures include revocation of parole for parolees and revocation of suspension of execution of the sentence for probationers.

When probationers/parolees are suspected of having violated the conditions for their probation/parole supervision, etc., the director of the probation office conducts an investigation, including hearings, of them. If they fail to respond to an order to appear, however, the director of the probation office can arrest them through use of a warrant for their arrest issued by a judge. Upon commencement of examination of a bad-conduct measure, the director of the probation office or the Regional Parole Board can detain arrested probationers/parolees for a fixed period of time. In 2009, 336 probationers and parolees (including juvenile probationers/parolees) were arrested and 300 of them subsequently detained (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).

In addition, parolees whose whereabouts have become unknown are subject to suspension of parole supervision. This measure was taken against 234 parolees in 2009 (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation). In order to enable probationers/parolees whose whereabouts have become unknown to be quickly found, the director of the relevant probation office has been receiving information on such individuals' whereabouts from the police since May 2006, resulting in 1,625 persons (874 parolees and 751 probationers) having been located by March 31, 2010 (including a trial period from December 2005) (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).