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 White paper on crime 2009 Part2/Chapter4/Section2/5 

5 Appeal system

  The general appeal system enables inmates who are dissatisfied with their treatment in penal institutions to file civil or administrative lawsuits, criminal complaints or charges, and notification of human rights violation, etc.
  In addition, systems under the old Prison Act, etc. allowed petitions to be filed and interviews with the warden of the institution. Under the Penal Detention Facilities Act, however, a new appeal system comprised of a claim for review, reclaim for review, report of the facts, and complaint was established. A claim for review can be filed with the director of the Regional Correction Headquarters if an inmate is dissatisfied with certain actions undertaken by the wardens of penal institutions. A reclaim for review can then be filed with the Minister of Justice if an inmate is dissatisfied with a decision on a claim for review made by the director of the Regional Correction Headquarters. A report of the facts can be provided by an inmate to the director of the Regional Correction Headquarters or to the Minister of Justice with regard to the use of illegal physical force, etc. by officials of penal institutions. However, inmates are first required to make a report to the director of the Regional Correction Headquarters before making any report of facts to the Minister of Justice. After receiving a notification confirming the facts, etc. from the director of the Regional Correction Headquarters, they can then make a report of the facts to the Minister of Justice if they are still not satisfied with that notification. Complaints to the Minister of Justice, inspectors, or the warden of penal institutions can be filed by inmates with regard to actions or other treatment provided to them by the warden of the institution.
  Table 2-4-2-2 shows the number of complaints filed by inmates over the last five years.

Table 2-4-2-2  Number of complaints filed by inmates (2004–2008)