1 Treatment indexes and treatment guidelines
The core of correctional treatment for sentenced inmates consists of work, guidance for reform, and guidance in school courses. The contents and delivery of correctional treatment must be tailored to individual ages, characteristics, and circumstances of each sentenced inmate (principle of individualized treatment).
Each penal institution conducts an assessment of individual characteristics and circumstances of each sentenced inmate (treatment assessment), utilizing specialized knowledge and techniques, such as medicine, psychology, pedagogy, and sociology. A particularly detailed assessment is conducted at designated penal institutions (assessment centers) for newly sentenced inmates aged less than 26 and sentenced inmates who need a specific assessment to be enrolled in special guidance for reform.
Following the assessment (including an assessment at assessment centers) upon commencement of execution of a sentence, penal institutions designate one or more treatment indexes for each sentenced inmate. Table 2-4-2-1 shows the treatment indexes designated following the introduction of imprisonment. Correctional treatment groups, newly introduced as part of treatment indexes, are groups structured to provide content for focused treatment for each category of inmates who share certain common characteristics, in consideration of factors such as the inmate’s age, physical and mental condition, the term of imprisonment to be served, and circumstances that hinder their reformation and rehabilitation or smooth reintegration into society.
Table 2-4-2-1 Sentenced inmates by treatment index
A treatment guideline, which indicates the goals of correctional treatment, basic contents and methods of work and guidance, etc. is specified for each sentenced inmate in accordance with the result of the assessment upon the commencement of execution of a sentence. Correctional treatment is implemented on the basis of the treatment guidelines.