Restorative Justice Planned in Japan - NPA Hopes Victim-Juvenile Offender Dialogue Will Cut Recidivism Rates |TODAY|

Submitted by dan. on 2007-12-06 12:50.
Crime Prevention | Offender Support | Restorative Systems | Victim Support

The National Police Agency plans to introduce a restorative justice system for minor offenses involving juveniles, under which there will be provision for direct dialogue between offenders and victims. It is hoped that the system will prove effective in preventing juveniles from becoming repeat offenders.

Now the NPA's decision to introduce restorative justice has been driven by the recent increase in recidivism rates among juveniles.

In 2006, 112,817 juveniles aged 14 or older were arrested or detained on suspicion of having committed a crime, 30 percent of whom were repeat offenders. The total number of juvenile arrests and detentions was actually down for the third straight year, but recidivism rates showed a continuing rise. Above all, the NPA is concerned by the increase in the number of repeat offenders among juveniles who were released without a court hearing or official legal adjudication--procedures that account for more than 70 percent of juvenile cases.

An analysis of previous adjudications in the cases of 4,482 juveniles who entered reformatories last year shows that 41.5 percent, or the biggest portion, were on probation, followed by 18.1 percent who had previously been detained only to be released without a hearing or adjudication.

This indicates that measures taken after minor offenses were insufficient, and suggests that measures taken during this period could help prevent repeat offenses. The findings led the NPA to introduce restorative justice.

Read it all.

well, yes...

Posted by Sarah Jo at 2008-02-28 06:44

If there is no conversation/discussion/"hearing" about the offenses committed, then what holds the youth to staying out of "trouble?" It confuses me that folks will see high recidivism rates and STILL disagree with the fact that there is something wrong with their justice justice system.

I think it's great that the NPA has found RJ and believes it to be a system that works. I'm sure they will see a decrease in their recidivism rates. If people truly want to live in safe communities and not worry about re-offenders, then they should be open to RJ as a way to make that possible.

High recidivism rates need to be addressed

Posted by Ryan Davis at 2008-02-28 10:27

"In 2006, 112,817 juveniles aged 14 or older were arrested or detained on suspicion of having committed a crime, 30 percent of whom were repeat offenders." This statement alone is unbelievable, the recidivism rate in Japan is very high for juvenile offenders, these youth need more guidance and support. One part in the excerpt stated that close to 70% of offenders never have court hearing or any official legal adjudication. I think that if Japan does adopt restorative justice practices it will help juvenile offenders understand and think more about thier actions in a crime. Hopefully these programs can help with the high recidivism rates, but it will take time to have an effect.

i agree

Posted by Elizabeth Corral at 2008-02-29 02:25

I feel that incorporating a victim-juvenile offender dialogue, will be very effective, in helping to lower their recividism rate. Studies have shown that juvenile offenders are often times the ones who benefit the most from restorative justice pratices. Allowing the juvenile offenders to stand face to face with their victim and both realize what they have done as well as be able to explain themselves to the victim allows for a great sense of satisfaction.