2 Classification activities

(1) Institutional classification
  Fig. 4-2-3-5 illustrates the regular flow of classification carried out for juveniles for whom a decision of protective detention (commitment to juvenile classification homes) was made (hereinafter referred to as “institutional classification”).

Fig. 4-2-3-5  Flow of institutional classification in juvenile classification homes

  Classification is determined as to whether to put a juvenile under non-institutional treatment (probation, etc.) or institutional treatment (commitment to juvenile training schools, etc.), based on the results of interview for classification, psychological tests, behavior observation, and medical diagnosis, as well as information from outside. The result of classification is recorded in a classification report along with characteristics of the juvenile's predisposition, factors to lead him to delinquency, and treatment guidelines for rehabilitation, and is sent to a family court as data for a hearing. If an adjudication of protective measures is made, the result is sent to a juvenile training school or a probation office for reference for the treatment.
  Table 4-2-3-6 shows the relationship between the recommendation based on classification and dispositions by family courts in 2007.

Table 4-2-3-6  Relationship between recommendations based on classification and disposition by family courts (2007)

(2) Classification other than institutional classification
a. Non-institutional classification at the request of a family court:
  Institutional classification is conducted for most cases dealt with by family courts, but non-institutional classification is also conducted by summoning a juvenile to a family court or a juvenile classification home, etc. without admitting him or her to a juvenile classification home. In 2007, 305 juveniles were accepted for non-institutional classification (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Correction).

b. Classification at the request of the relevant agencies of the Ministry of Justice:
  The breakdown for classification at the request of the relevant agencies of the Ministry of Justice in 2007 was two juveniles by way of public prosecutors, 3,172 by way of juvenile training schools or penal institutions, and 5,174 juveniles by way of regional parole boards or probation offices (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Correction). The classification activities conducted at the request were classification of the subjects' predisposition, individual or group psychological tests, interview, enquiry, etc. conducive to formulating or changing treatment plans.

c. Classification services for the general public:
  Classification services for the general public are conducted at the request of citizens, public and private organizations, etc. Themes of consultation are wide-ranging, including not only delinquency but also juveniles' character, discipline, and student guidance, etc.