Elements of effective measures for recidivism prevention were explored through large scale analysis of a computerized criminal records database, statistical information on the criminal justice system from the police through to rehabilitation, and research on homicide recidivism. The analysis resulted in the conclusions that (a) preventing offenders who were given their first conviction from committing a second offense needs to be focused on, (b) special attention should be paid to young adult offenders, especially those between 20 and 24 years of age, and elderly offenders (65 years and over), (c) specialized treatment is required for theft, the Stimulants Control Act violations, injury/assault offenders from a quantitative point of view, and sexual offenders and homicide offenders from a qualitative point of view (gravity of offense), and so forth.
  These facts also suggest that attention needs to be paid to providing individualized treatment from sentencing and institutional treatment right through to community-based treatment. This can be made possible through appropriate investigation of the facts related to offenses and offenders, and then carrying out accurate assessment of the risk and needs factors of offenders.
   Individualized treatment had been available at penal institutions but it has been strengthened further by the Inmates Treatment Act (later amended to be the Penal Detention Facilities Act) that was enforced in 2006. Under this act, sentenced inmates should be treated with consideration given to their characteristics and circumstances (see Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 4). As for community-based treatment, a classified treatment system and a categorized treatment system, which focus upon the characteristics and circumstances of probationers and parolees, had been carried out by probation offices for many years. In addition to the aforementioned, a new type of intensive supervision probation/parole scheme was introduced in 2007 (see Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 2 and Part 7, Chapter 5, Section 3).
   Since the causes of crime are complicated and multi-layered, a wide range of support over the long-term ranging from institutional treatment, community-based treatment to aftercare in a multidisciplinary approach will need to be made available. This approach is to be carried out in a close collaboration of the criminal justice agencies and the agencies, etc. responsible for employment, welfare, education, health and medicine and so forth, while promoting the general understanding and support in the society for rehabilitation of the offenders.