Before a Regional Parole Board receives an application for parole, a preparatory parole investigation is conducted with the aim at enhancement of parole examination and the smoother return of the inmate to society.For these investigations,parole officers in secretariats of Regional Parole Boards are sent to correctional institutions to interview inmates and understand problems for their return to society,as well as to discuss with the staff in correctional institutions.In2003,such investigations were carried out for a total of42,646inmates,up by1,192from the previous year,consisting of33,151prisoners,up by1,437(id.),and9,495juvenile training school inmates,down by245(id.)(Source:Data by Rehabilitation Bureau,Ministry of Justice).
  To further enhance the preparatory parole investigation,parole officers in secretariats of Regional Parole Boards are stationed in penal institutions.This resident parole officer system is now implemented in10large-scale prisons.

  Those sentenced to life or long-term imprisonment had committed serious offenses and often have a lot of problems in their nature and environment.Their parole examinations and judgment require special considerations.For long-term prisoners of eight years or longer and life imprisonment,the Regional Boards carry out particularly careful investigations and examinations on their mental and physical conditions,sentiment of their victims,and other related matters,and give special consideration on guidance and advice for them and on environmental adjustment of their next abode after release.For example,chief examiners conduct repeated interviews and sometimes more than one examiner do the interview with them.