3 Measures for probationers/parolees

(1) Good-conduct measures

When a probationer/parolee is deemed to be maintaining a sound life attitude and deemed capable of being a sound independent member of society and of reforming/rehabilitating themselves, measures such as termination of indeterminate sentence for parolees sentenced to imprisonment for indeterminate term (See Subsection 3, Section 1, Chapter 3, Part 3) and provisional discharge from probation for probationers are taken. In 2011 no parolees were granted termination of indeterminate sentence whereas 314 probationers were granted provisional discharge from probation (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).

(2) Bad-conduct measures

When a probationer/parolee fails to observe the conditions for probation/parole supervision or commits an offense during the period of probation/parole supervision, measures such as revocation of parole for a parolee and revocation of suspension of execution of the sentence for a probationer are taken.

When a probationer/parolee is suspected of violating the conditions for his/her probation/parole supervision, etc., the director of the probation office concerned carries out some investigations including interview with him/her on whether or not any violations exist. If he/she fails to respond to summons, the director can have him/her arrested with a warrant issued by a judge. If the Regional Parole Board deems it necessary to commence examination or commences it upon request for revocation of parole, on whether or not it decides to revoke his/her parole, or if the director of the probation office deems it necessary to commence examination on whether or not he/she requests to have his/her suspension of execution of the sentence revoked, he/she can detain the arrested probationer/parolee for a certain period of time. 296 probationers/parolees (including juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees) were arrested in 2011, with 269 of them being 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 used for 239 parolees in 2011 (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 notified of their whereabouts from the police since May 2006, resulting in a total of 2,014 persons (1,114 parolees and 900 probationers) having been located by March 31, 2012 (including a trial period from December 2005) (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).