抄録
The project explored the nature and current practices of offender rehabilitation in Akita, and analyzed possible barriers against implementation of arts and culture-based offender rehabilitation practices in Akita. The data were collected through focus groups and interviews, conducting semi-structured conversations with the foci of: general functions of the institutions or the group/individuals; characteristics of offenders and perceived challenges faced by stakeholders; and potentials and challenges of art-based interventions. This paper reports the findings on the community-based rehabilitation initiatives.
The findings of the research includes: The opportunities for arts and cultural activities during non-custodial treatment is limited or has become more limited than in the past. Identified issues, concerning the principle of arts-based rehabilitation and community inclusion, are: stronger focus on accountability, punishment and control affecting individual rehabilitation; and distance with the community at different levels. The results are discussed from the 'systems' and the ‘community’ perspectives, focusing on the impact of recent changes in legislation of rehabilitation practices reflected in the stakeholder observation, and also the characteristics of 'community', possibly affecting the environment for offender rehabilitation in Japan.
This project has been funded by the Institute for Asian Studies and Regional Collaboration (IASRC), Akita International University.
