Creating a “Place to Belong” and “Opportunity” in the Community

Ensuring Occupation to Lead an Independent Life

　When re-offending rates of those who have occupation and those who do not have occupation are compared, the re-offending rate of those who are out of work is four times as high compared to the rate of those who are in work. If the unemployed can go into work, they can not only gain steady incomes but also be expected to establish interpersonal relationships through work which will then lead to great opportunities to overcome as independent members of the society.
　However, difficult situations remain for those who have committed crimes or turned to delinquency to obtain work due to their qualifications and previous criminal records.
　The Ministry of Justice is engaging in job assistance in cooperation with not only prisons and probation offices but also with various organizations in the community as well as private citizens such as cooperative employers, etc.

Vocational Training that Meets the Needs of the Society　

　At prisons or juvenile training schools, vocational training that will lead to employment in types of businesses with high social needs such as construction industries and care welfare industries is conducted.
　Also, in addition to the acquisition of technique and skills, the facilities give guidance to enable them to acquire manners and abilities needed for work such as manners as members of a society or communication abilities in the workplace.

Division of Care Welfare

Efforts in the Community

　Companies that employ those released from prison by understanding their conditions are called “cooperative employers”.
　The Ministry of Justice is enhancing measures for economic assistance toward “cooperative employers” as well as promoting the foundations etc. of support systems where companies can continuously and safely employ released inmates.

Cooperative employer

→The Ministry of Justice is seeking companies that are willing to become “cooperative employers.”

Employment Information for Inmates

　To match the job offer of companies which wish to employ released inmates and the job seeking of those inmates, new efforts have been advanced in that companies can post job offers at certain correctional institutions through job-placement offices.

Ensuring a Place to Belong in the Community

　For inmates who can ask their relatives for help, adjustments have been undertaken so that they can be supported by their relatives after release.　Meanwhile, the repetition of criminal behavior leads to estrangement. They become isolated since there is no one to support them, therefore, for those who do not have places to go back, efforts are being made to provide them with places to stay for a time such as relief and rehabilitation facilities (see page 37).
　Also, for inmates who have difficulty in leading independent lives such as the elderly or disabled, improvements have been made on the systems in cooperation with prisons /probation offices and local public authorities so that they can receive appropriate welfare services even after their release.

Functional Enhancement of Relief and Rehabilitation Facilities and Securement of Various Places to Stay

To enhance treatment for inmates who have difficulty in leading independent lives such as the elderly or disabled or those who are drug dependent, officials with professional qualifications in welfare and psychology fields are placed. Acceptance mechanisms at relief and rehabilitation facilities are being enhanced, and from FY 2011, efforts are being made to secure various places to accept them taking advantage of welfare hotels (self-support homes) which are managed by incorporated non-profit organizations etc.