NCJ Number
116662
Date Published
1989
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This review of the nature and functions of open prisons in Japan focuses on the Ohi Shipbuilding Dockyard Camp, the Arii Dockyard Camp, the Kagamihara Metal Industrial Camp, the Kitsuregawa School for Agriculture and Civil Engineering, and the Ichihara Prison for Traffic Offenders.
Abstract
These institutions conform to the 'forbearant model' of open prisons, which respects the principle of containment and minimizes departures from usual penological practice. Careful classification identifies only the most trustworthy inmates for open facilities, since inmates have greater freedom and self-management. In Japan the cultural emphasis on duty and respect for authority conditions appropriate inmate responses in open prisons. The open prison concept in Japan was stimulated by the use of prisoners to build ships during World War II. Penological pioneers pushed the concept after the war. The open-prison concept in Japan benefits from the extensive employment of inmates in industrial production through contracts with private entrepreneurs. Vocational training serves future employers as well as inmates. 1 note, 17 references.