2 Treatment of juvenile probationers/parolees
The treatment provided to juvenile probationers and juvenile training school parolees is basically the same as that provided to probationers and parolees but excludes the treatment for designated violent offenders, and within the sexual offender treatment program, stimulants offender treatment program, drunken driving prevention program, and interim treatment system (See Subsection 2, Section 2, Chapter 5, Part 2), but with the following measures also being implemented.
Table 3-1-5-6 shows the number of juveniles categorized in the major treatment categories for juvenile probationers (excluding those placed under short-term probation for traffic offenses) and juvenile training school parolees according to the categorized treatment system as of the end of 2010.
Table 3-1-5-6 Number of juvenile probationers/parolees in each category (as of December 31, 2010)
(1) Treatment of juveniles who committed heinous/serious offenses
Juvenile probationers and juvenile training school parolees who committed heinous/serious offenses such as homicide, in many cases, are greatly affected by problems related to their predisposition and have complex serious problems with family relationships, etc. They are therefore placed at the highest level of the graduated treatment with the intensive involvement of probation officers in developing their ability to adapt to society and facilitating them to apologize to the victims.
(2) Treatment through violence prevention program
The life and conduct guidelines specify that juvenile probationers and juvenile training school parolees with violent tendencies must take part in the violence prevention program.
(3) Social participation activities
Probation/parole supervision encourages mainly juvenile probationers/juvenile training school parolees to participate in volunteer work, including nursing care at welfare facilities and also the cleaning of parks, etc., pottery classes and cooking classes, farm work, sports activities, and recreational activities, etc. in thereby fostering a more appropriate social nature and enhancing their ability to adapt to society. In FY 2010 a total of 369 social participation activities took place. Frequently implemented activities included “participating in nursing care for the elderly, etc. and volunteer activities” (114 times), “participating in cleaning and environmental beautification activities” (112 times), and “participating in creative activities, hands-on experience, and various classes, etc.” (78 times), ultimately involving a total of 1,108 juvenile probationers/parolees and a total of 195 family members, etc. (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).
In April 2011 utilization of social contribution activities was commenced in the treatment involved in probation/parole supervision (See (3) c. of Subsection 4, Chapter 5, Part 7).
(4) Measures for guardians
Probation offices have been providing the guardians of juvenile probationers and juvenile training school parolees with guidance or advice until the juvenile probationer or juvenile training school parolee of concern reaches 20 years of age in thus ensuring that they should provide the appropriate supervision through thoroughly understanding their living conditions, etc. and rectify any of their behaviors that could obstruct juvenile reformation/rehabilitation, and make information available that contributes to solving any problems pertaining to their delinquency through holding meetings with guardians, etc. (See (3) c. of Subsection 2, Chapter 5, Part 7).
(5) Employment support, etc.
Systematic employment support has also been implemented for juvenile probationers/parolees. The National Center for Offender Job Training and Employment Support (Numata-cho), which accommodates juvenile training school parolees, etc. who intend to engage in agriculture, and with the aim of providing employment support through guidance/supervision and agricultural training, has been in operation since October 2007 (See (3) b. of Subsection 3, Chapter 5, Part 7).