Sunday, September 23rd, 2007
Fuchu Prison is the largest prison in Japan and contains both Japanese and foreign prisoners.
The Japanese prisoners are male offenders 26 years old or over with prison terms of less than
8 years, who have past prison records, lack the desire for rehabilitation, and are difficult to treat.
Many of the inmates are members of criminal organizations, substance abusers or vagrants. They
are often more repeat offenders rather than truly dangerous criminals.
Most foreign men convicted in Japan are held at Fuchu Prison. The number of foreign inmates is
increasing yearly, and at present, more than 500 foreigners representing over 40 nationalities are
found in the foreign inmate population. The vast majority of the prisoners eat Japanese style food.
The prison imposes a strict, military-like discipline in order to maintain the security, order, and
safety of the institution and its inmates. The prisoners wear prison-issue uniforms and there is a
prescribed way to walk, talk, eat, sit and sleep. Doing things the wrong way or at the wrong time
will be punished. Similarly, good behavior is rewarded with more privileges.
As a result of the harsh discipline, the guards are able to exert near complete control over the
prison and so guarantee the physical safety of the prisoners. As in a military boot camp, the
system seems geared towards breaking down old behavior patterns and instilling a more
disciplined self-control and an ability to function in groups. Fuchu Prison provides continuing
guidance in self-discipline and social ethics for everyday life and there are monthly slogans
and frequent personal counseling.
Prisoners are generally allowed to write and meet only their family, their lawyer and their
consul. They are not allowed to correspond with or have visits from friends. During the
orientation period, the prisoners will be asked to make a list of their relatives which will
be their authorized correspondents. There are limitations on the number of letters which
prisoners can write but no limit on the number of letters they may receive.
All mail is censored and the prisoners must pay for all postage, stationary, etc. There are
strict limitations on communications between prisoners. Talking is permitted only at
prescribed times during the day.
Work is obligatory for inmates sentenced to imprisonment with forced labor, which includes
the bulk of the population at Fuchu Prison.
A Typical Day At Fuchu Prison
06:50 Rise/Roll-call
07:10 Breakfast
07:35 Proceed to workshops
08:00 Resume work
09:45 Break time
10:00 Resume work
12:00 Lunch
12:40 Resume work
14:30 Break time
14:45 Resume work
16:40 End of work
16:45 Return from workshops to cells
17:15 Dinner/Roll-call
18:05 Educational and other activities
19:00 Optional activities
21:00 Sleep
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