Category: Prison

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 21, 2025 Number of comments0
Crime Health Japan Prison

Japan Government Ordered to Pay Damages for Verbal Abuse of Inmate

A Japanese court on Monday ordered the government to pay some 300,000 yen in damages over verbal abuse and other illegal acts by prison guards against an inmate in Aichi Prefecture. Presiding Judge Akira Chino denied the causal relationship between his death and medical treatment provided by Nagoya Prison in the Aichi city of Miyoshi. he man was sent to a hospital for a possible heart attack on Feb. 22, 2022, when he was serving his sentence for an assault. He died of multiple organ failure on March 1 that year at the age of 71 after coming back to the prison. The ruling by Tokyo District Court came after the bereaved family of the inmate sued the government for some 40 million yen, accusing it of failing to offer proper medical treatment to him.


by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Human Rights Japan Prison

Disabled People International Japan Branch to Hold ‘Online Rally’ on “Prisoners with Disabilities and the Right to Use Wheelchairs”

The Japan Branch of the NPO Disabled People’ International (DPI), located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, will hold an online rally on the theme of “Prisoners with disabilities and their right to use wheelchairs” on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The rally is being held in response to a ruling was handed down in a lawsuit seeking ‘reasonable accommodation’ in Gifu, a lawsuit concerning an alleged human rights violation in which an inmate with walking difficulties was denied wheelchair access at Gifu Prison for over 10 years. On October 30, 2024, the Gifu District Court did not recognize the denial of wheelchair access as illegal and ruled against the plaintiff.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 2, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Japan Prison

Symposium held in Saitama to consider support for preventing recidivism by the elderly and people with disabilities

A symposium was held in Saitama City on February 1st to consider what kind of support elderly people and people with disabilities who have committed crimes need in order to live in the community without re-offending.

The symposium was held by the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office and other organizations, and approximately 300 people gathered at the venue in Saitama City.

Among those who commit crimes, it is said that it is difficult for the elderly and those with disabilities to reintegrate into society, and prosecutors are working to connect people with high welfare needs, such as those whose prosecution has been suspended, to relevant organizations.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 30, 2023 1
Crime Disability Japan Prison Welfare

First Prison in Japan to House Only Young Inmates with Developmental and Other Disabilities Opens

The first prison in the country to house only young inmates with physical disabilities or intellectual disabilities, with an emphasis on supporting their reintegration into society, was established in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture.

The ‘Ichihara Youth Correctional Center’ is a newly established facility that was a juvenile detention center until April of this year.