Prisoners have difficulties in being reintegrated into society after they are released from prisons.In particular,those prisoners serving long-term sentences are criticized by society for their serious crimes,and many of them have difficult problems with livelihood,employment,and family relationships etc.after release.Therefore,special consideration should be given to them in parole examinations and supervision after parole.
  In light of this,for those prisoners serving long-term sentences of life or eight years of imprisonment, parole examinations has been enhanced since1979in the way that parole officers start preparatory investigations as soon as possible and hold interviews with them on a regular basis.
Intermediate treatment also started in1979to enable a smooth transition to supervision after their release on parole.During the first period,intermediate treatment had been provided only for the prisoners serving in limited prisons,but it has been expanded to those in all prisons since1986.
  Fig. 5-4-3-2 shows the implementation of intermediate treatment since its implementation was expanded in1986.In2003,intermediate treatment was provided for15of16parolees of life imprisonment and90of122parolees of fixed long terms.Their percentage was93.8%and73.8%for each respectively(In2003,122fixed long term parolees include26foreign nationals to be deported from Japan.The percentage was calculated excluding these foreign nationals:Data by Rehabilitation Bureau,Ministry of Justice).The average percentage of implementation over the last10years is87.6%for life imprisonment parolees and87.0%for fixed long term parolees.
  See Chapter5,Section2-4(7) for details about intermediate treatment.

Fig. 5-4-3-2 Implementation of intermediate treatment(1986-2003)