3 Measures for probationers/parolees

(1) Good-conduct measures

Measures utilized when a probationer/parolee is deemed to be maintaining a sound life attitude and deemed capable of being a sound independent member of society and of reforming/rehabilitating themselves include termination of indeterminate sentence for indeterminate sentence parolees (See Subsection 3, Section 1, Chapter 2, Part 3) and provisional discharge from probation for probationers. In 2010 no parolees were granted termination of indeterminate sentence but 365 probationers were granted provisional discharge from probation (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).

(2) Bad-conduct measures

Measures utilized when a probationer/parolee has violated the conditions for their probation/parole supervision or committed an offense during the period of their supervision, etc. include revocation of parole for parolees and revocation of suspension of execution of the sentence for probationers.

When probationers/parolees are suspected of having violated the conditions for their probation/parole supervision, etc., the director of the probation office concerned investigates, including hearings, the situation. If they fail to respond to an order to appear, however, the director of the probation office can arrest them by a warrant issued by a judge. If the Regional Parole Board deems it necessary to commence examination of a decision to revoke anyone’s parole or commences examination of an application to revoke their parole or if the director of the probation office deems it necessary to commence examination of a decision on whether or not to apply for anyone’s suspension of execution of the sentence to be revoked, the Board/director can then detain arrested probationers/parolees for a fixed period of time. 287 probationers and parolees (including juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees) were arrested in 2010, with 241 of them being subsequently detained (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).

In addition, parolees whose whereabouts have become unknown are subject to suspension of parole supervision. This measure was taken against 206 parolees in 2010 (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation). In order to enable probationers/parolees whose whereabouts have become unknown to be quickly found the director of the relevant probation office has been able to receive information on any such individuals’ whereabouts from the police since May 2006, resulting in a total of 1,819 persons (995 parolees and 824 probationers) having been located by March 31, 2011 (including a trial period from December 2005) (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).