Section 3 Volunteer Probation Officers and Halfway Houses
1 Volunteer probation officers
Volunteer probation officers (VPOs) are volunteers who support the rehabilitation of offenders and delinquents in local communities. Commissioned by the Minister of Justice pursuant to the Volunteer Probation Officers Act (Act No. 204 of 1950), they implement probation/parole supervision and adjustment of living conditions in cooperation with probation officers, and engage in crime prevention activities, etc. in partnership with local governments.
VPOs are assigned to one of 886 probation districts (as of April 1, 2019) nationwide (Source: The Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).
Fig. 2-5-3-1 shows the trend in the number of volunteer probation officers, their average age, and percentage of female VPOs.
Fig. 2-5-3-1 Volunteer probation officers (VPOs): number, percentage of females and average age
Fig. 2-5-3-2 shows the composition by age group and occupation of VPOs as of January 1 of 1989, 2003 and 2019.
Fig. 2-5-3-2 Volunteer probation officers: composition by age group and occupation
