Recently, reducing reoffending has become an important topic in the field of criminal justice in Japan. There are several factors that lead to repeat offences, such as the lack of housing, jobs and social support. Especially, elderly and disabled offenders have difficulty obtaining support, and it is important to address these needs to reduce reoffending.

 

Since 2018, probation offices strengthened continuous assistance for discharged offenders within a period of six months - upon their request and with their consent - to facilitate their transition to life in the community and to reduce reoffending. In 2021, probation offices also began to cooperate with public prosecutors’ offices and local governments to provide pre-trial re-entry coordination for elderly or disabled suspects and accused. Based on the individual’s result in the re-entry coordination, the public prosecutor decides the disposition, after which the probation officer may take over the case and provide continuous guidance and assistance without supervision within a period of six months based on a brief assessment.

 

This presentation will provide an overview of these schemes, implementation experiences and efforts, and the challenges surrounding them.