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2 Treatment of juvenile probationers/parolees (1) Graduated treatment systemIn accordance with enforcement of the Offenders Rehabilitation Act in June 2008, systematic probationary supervision through graduated treatment has been implemented for juvenile probationers (excluding those placed under short-term probation and short-term probation for traffic offenses) and juvenile training school parolees as a replacement for the conventional classified treatment system (See (2) of Subsection 2, Section 2, Chapter 5, Part 2). (2) Categorized treatment system Table 4-2-6-7 shows the designation of treatment categories of juvenile probationers (excluding those placed under short-term probation for traffic offenses and those placed under short-term probation with the term of probation of 10 months or less) and juvenile training school parolees according to the categorized treatment system (See (3) of Subsection 2, Section 2, Chapter 5, Part 2) as of December 31, 2008. Table 4-2-6-7 Designation of treatment categories of juvenile probationers/parolees (as of December 31, 2008)
As with adult probationers/parolees, special conditions for probation/parole supervision can also be assigned and modified according to the implementation status of supervision for juvenile probationers/parolees and the probation officers directly involved in the treatment of those requiring special consideration with their treatment (See (1) and (5) of Subsection 2, Section 2, Chapter 5, Part 2). In addition, amendment of the Offenders Prevention and Rehabilitation Act in November 2007 introduced, as a measure to further enhance the effectiveness of guidance for juvenile probationers/parolees, a procedure where the directors of probation offices can warn juvenile probationers/parolees when they violate conditions for probation/parole supervision (protective measures such as receiving a disposition of commitment to a juvenile training school, etc. may be taken if a juvenile probationer/parolee repeatedly violates the conditions for probation/parole supervision to a serious degree despite being given a warning) (the said act was succeeded by the Offenders Rehabilitation Act on June 1, 2008; See (2), (3), (6), and (7) of Subsection 2, Section 2, Chapter 5, Part2 for other measures). (4) Social participation activities In the treatment involved in probation/parole supervision, juvenile probationers / juvenile training school parolees are mainly encouraged to participate in nursing care and volunteer work at welfare facilities, environmental beautification activities such as cleaning parks, etc., and learning through hands-on experience such as in pottery classes and cooking classes, farm work, sports activities, and recreational activities, etc. in order to foster their social nature and enhance their ability to adapt to society. In FY 2008, social participation activities took place a total of 372 times in 292 locations, with the participation of 1,182 juvenile probationers/parolees and 230 of their families, etc. Frequently implemented activities included “participating in nursing care activities and volunteer activities for the aged, etc.” (103 times), “participating in cleaning and environmental beautification activities” (86 times), and “participating in creative activities, learning through hands-on experience, and various classes, etc.” (76 times) (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice). (5) Measures for guardians Similar to juvenile training schools, probation offices have consistently provided advice, etc. to guardians. The November 2007 amendment of the Offenders Prevention and Rehabilitation Act provided that the directors of probation offices could take some appropriate measures, including providing guidance, advice, etc., for guardians (the said act was succeeded by the Offenders Rehabilitation Act on June 1, 2008). In response to this, probation offices have been providing guardians of juvenile probationers/parolees with guidance or advice to take custody of them appropriately after ensuring that they thoroughly understand their living conditions, etc., to correct behaviors they deem could be an obstruction to their reformation/rehabilitation, and offering information that contributes to solving problems pertaining to their delinquency through holding meetings with guardians, etc. (6) Temporary discharge, etc. The temporary discharge system was established as a good-conduct measure for juvenile probationers/parolees who follow the conditions for probation/parole supervision and maintain a sound life and attitude in accordance with life and conduct guidelines. In 2008, 17 juveniles were granted temporary discharge from their probation/parole supervision. Conversely, however, 25 were notified to a family court due to a new pre-delinquency (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice). (7) Employment support, etc. Juvenile probationers/parolees are subject to comprehensive employment support measures implemented in cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Systematic employment support has been implemented in accordance with those measures (See (1) of Subsection 3, Section 1, Chapter 4, Part 7). In addition, the National Center for Offender Job Training and Employment Support (Numata-cho), which aims at providing accommodation and employment support through guidance/supervision and agricultural training for juvenile training school parolees who intend to engage in agriculture, has been in operation since October 2007 (See (7) of Subsection 2, Section 2, Chapter 5, Part 2 and (3) of Subsection 3, Section 1, Chapter 4, Part 7). |
