2 Treatment of juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees

(1) Classified treatment system
  As of December 31, 2007, the percentage of “Class A” juveniles (the rate of those who were considered to be difficult to treat to the total number of juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees; see Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 2, 2 (3)) was 4.3% for juvenile probationers and 18.9% for juvenile training school parolees. The higher percentage of juvenile “Class A” parolees indicates that juvenile training school parolees were more likely to have problems that might hinder their rehabilitation (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice). In accordance with the enforcement of the Offenders Rehabilitation Act, the systematic probation/parole supervision through stage-based treatment will be implemented, replacing the classified treatment system, for cases in which supervision started on or after June 1, 2008 (see Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 2, 2 (4)).

(2) Categorized treatment system
  Table 4-2-6-6 shows the situation of juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees categorized into each category according to their characteristic problems (see Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 2, 2 (5)) as of December 31, 2007.

Table 4-2-6-6  Juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees categorized into each category (As of December 31, 2007)

(3) Social participation activities
  In probation/parole supervision, juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees are encouraged to participate in nursing care and volunteer work at welfare facilities, environment beautification activities such as park cleaning, etc., on-site training such as pottery classes and cooking classes, farm work, sport activities, and recreational activities, etc. in order to foster a social nature in juveniles and enhance their capacity for adaptability to society.
  In FY2007, social participation activities were implemented 414 times, at 322 sites with the participation of 1,498 persons (including 233 guardians). Activities that were implemented most frequently were “participation in nursing care activities and volunteer activities for the aged, etc. (117 times)”, “participation in creative activities, on-site training, and various classes, etc. (98 times)”, and “participation in cleaning and environmental beautification activities (98 times)” (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).

(4) Measures for further enhancing effectiveness of guidance in probation/parole supervision
  The Act for Partial Amendment to the Juvenile Act (Act No. 68 of 2007) promulgated on June 1, 2008 and enforced on November 1 the same year introduced as part of measures to further enhance the effectiveness of guidance in probation/parole supervision a procedure where the directors of probation offices can provide warnings to juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees who have violated the conditions of their supervision and a system in which the director can order juveniles to be committed to juvenile training schools, etc. if they have repeatedly or seriously violated the conditions of their supervision despite having been warned and it is recognized that they are incapable of being rehabilitated through probation/parole supervision. In addition, the said act also provides for directors of probation offices taking such measures as providing guidance/advice, etc. to guardians of juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees to help make them recognize their responsibility for the custody of the juveniles and contribute to their rehabilitation (see Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 2, 2 (1), (3), (5), and (7) for other measures).