REPORT OF THE SECOND ASIA VOLUNTEER PROBATION OFFICERS MEETINGThe Second Asia Volunteer Probation Officers Meeting, hosted by the organizers of the Third World
Congress on Probation, was held from 15:00 to 17:30 on September 12, 2017 at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel inTokyo, Japan. Mr. Shoji Imafuku, Director of the General Affairs Division Rehabilitation Bureau of theMinistry of Justice of Japan presided over the meeting as Chair. The meeting was attended by volunteer
probation officers (VPOs) and officials responsible for community corrections from the following countries:
Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Japan. Observers from China and Kenya also attended themeeting. In total, around 200 participants attended the meeting.
1. Opening Addresses
Mr. Daizo Nozawa, President of the National Federation of Volunteer Probation Officers of Japan,
extended his heartfelt welcome to the overseas participants and volunteer probation officers who
participated in the meeting. At the first meeting three years ago, participants exchanged information
about their respective volunteer probation officer systems, shared common challenges among theparticipating countries, and adopted the Tokyo Declaration, the first international declaration addressing
the role of VPOs in offender rehabilitation. The purpose of the Second Asia VPO meeting is to assess theprogress of the implementation of the Tokyo Declaration and to share best practices for enhancing publicawareness and recognition of the role of VPOs.
Mr. Keisuke Senta, Director of the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crimeand the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI), welcomed the participants and introduced UNAFEIʼsactivities to enhance the role of VPOs and community corrections. These activities focus on the exchangeof information and experiences between Japanese VPOs and criminal justice practitioners from othercountries.
2. Country Presentations
The Chair recalled that the purpose of the Tokyo Declaration, adopted at the First Asia VPOs Meeting, isto share information on VPO and similar systems in the participating countries and to the enhance publicrecognition of VPO systems.
JAPAN: Mr. Shojin KOBAYASHI, Vice President of the National Federation of Volunteer Probation Officers,
summarized the characteristics of the VPO system in Japan and reported the challenges facing thecurrent system, including the declining number of VPOs and increased pressure on current VPOs. Inresponse, Japan has established Offenders Rehabilitation Support Centers to provide VPOs with a location
where VPOs can meet and interview probationers, exchange ideas with other VPOs, consult experienced
VPOs stationed at the centers, and so on. An internship program was also established to identify
promising VPO candidates, and Japan has prioritized the engagement of younger generations in crime
prevention activities with VPOs.
PHILIPPINES: Volunteer Probation Assistants (VPAs) in the Philippines amply the services provided toclients in the community and promote greater citizen awareness and involvement in the criminal justicesystem. Regular evaluation and recognition of VPAs are key measures for motivating VPAs. Challenges
faced include community doubt of the effectiveness of community corrections and insufficient funds totrain and sustain the VPA program. To further improve the VPA system, measures include providing
continuous training for VPAs, enhancing public private partnerships in community corrections, andexpanding the evaluation and recognition system for VPAs.
SINGAPORE: The delegation from Singapore introduced the recruitment process for VPOs, which allows exoffenders to volunteer under certain conditions, and the training process, which includes both an elearning module and seminar-style meetings. To encourage VPOs and enhance bonding among them,
VPO committees organize events for VPOs, and VPOs are given awards and other forms of publicrecognition. The challenges faced by the VPO scheme include dealing with the evolving needs ofprobationers and balancing the organizationʼs needs and volunteersʼ aspirations.
149

RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES No. 104

THAILAND: The delegation from Thailand introduced its VPO system based on the new legal framework
resulting from the recent passage of the Probation Act. These changes include the lowering of theminimum age qualified to serve as a VPO from 25 to 20 because, like Japan, the average age of VPOs has
been increasing, and some older VPOs have challenges relating to younger probationers. To enhanceservices and public recognition, Thailand also engages in evaluation and public recognition of VPOs.
Among other roles, Thai VPOs are tasked with engaging in pre- and post-sentence investigations,
supporting the work of the Probation Department, and so on.
KENYA: The delegation explained that the VPO program provides auxiliary support to relieve the problemof prison overcrowding, particularly for the many offenders who are imprisoned for minor crimes. VPOs
enable the probation department to extend its reach into Kenyaʼs villages, many of which aregeographically isolated. Progress was reported in the fields of recruitment, organization and development,
and public recognition. The programme had also developed system of working with Non ‒governmentalorganizations. In order to strengthen the VPO system in Kenya, recommendations include entrenching
the VPO system in Kenyaʼs laws and policies; enhancing recognition, capacity building, and government
funding; and expanding coverage of the VPO system to all parts of Kenya.
CHINA: Community corrections has developed over the past two decades in response to the increasing
prison population. As of 2016, China has 672, 100 volunteers, such as retirees, college students andprofessionals, who provide a variety of services to rehabilitate offenders in the community. A number ofmodels for treatment and support were provided, all of which draw on the support of community
volunteers, criminal justice agencies and social support agencies. To identify and retain these volunteers,
the volunteer system engages in recruitment, provides training, and offers commendations to outstanding
volunteers. Challenges include the lack of funding, poor organization, including high turnover ofvolunteers, and insufficient training.
3. Plenary Discussion
The Chair stated that the theme of the plenary discussion would focus on enhancing public recognition of
VPOs and that, to do so, it is important to engage a broader set of society. Before opening the floor to abroader discussion, the Chair asked the eminent experts in attendance to share their thoughts on thecountry presentations and on how to promote public recognition of VPOs.
Prof. Tatsuya OTA of Keio University (Japan) commented that recruitment is an important issue in Japanand pointed out that the VPO population in Japan is aging. Accordingly, Japan should reconsider how it
recruits VPOs. He also stated that persons with professional experiences and knowledge, such as nurses,
mental health practitioners, lawyers, etc., should be recruited as VPOs in order to provide special
guidance and support to probationers. Furthermore, VPOs should operate in teams of two or three alongwith other professionals, and they should cooperate directly with social welfare agencies and otherresources. In Japan, the statistics suggest that a majority of Japanese are aware of the role of VPOs, butthere is a lack of understanding of community supervision in general.
Prof. Hiroshi SHOJIMA of Fukushima University (Japan) suggested that it is necessary to reconfirm the roleof VPOs, particularly by focusing on their role in their communities. Certain offenders, such as sexualoffenders, require specialized treatment, but most offenders require the support of the community toreintegrate. Building such understanding does not require expertise; it requires someone who has
standing in the community and knowledge of local resources. Although confidentiality is important, the“visibility” of VPOsʼ non-confidential activities in the community is indispensable. Recently, open dialogue
in our communities is important to enhance public recognition of VPOs and community-based treatment,
while community-based monitoring is not an important factor.
Dr. Frank PORPORINO, Senior Partner, T3 Associates Training and Consulting Inc. (Canada), stated that
although the VPO approach is not known well on the international level, the Asian region should be proudof what VPOs have been able to achieve. Although each country applies its own variation of the VPO
scheme, the essence of the VPO scheme is that it is there to support, not to enforce. The VPO scheme
should not be viewed as a measure to save money, but rather it should be viewed as a culturally
appropriate and evidence-based approach for working with offenders. While the term volunteer150

20TH UNAFEI UNCAC TRAINING PROGRAMMESUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

sometimes implies “amateur”, VPOs are professionals in their own way. Organizing the VPO system toomuch could result in losing its vitality and energy. It is very important to create an evidence base in theAsian region based on the practices related to VPOs: who is able to relate with offenders best, why andhow. Also, Dr. Porporino suggested that ex-offenders might be excellent candidates for VPOs, because
those who have traveled the path to rehabilitation know it best.
Director Senta of UNAFEI stated that the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal
Justice will be held in Kyoto in 2020. Participants include ministers of justice, attorneys general, chiefjustices of Supreme Courts, as well as criminal justice practitioners and academics from around the world.
The Congress will promote the building of peaceful and inclusive societies. During the Congress, someagenda items are closely related to VPOsʼ activities. UNAFEI will be in charge of the workshop on
reducing reoffending, and the workshopʼs panelists will include experts or practitioners of communitycorrections. In addition, there will be more than 100 side events during the Congress. These events areexcellent opportunities to promote the public recognition of VPOs nationally and internationally.
Moreover, the Kyoto Declaration will be adopted during the 2020 Congress, and through diplomaticnegotiation, the importance of community corrections and VPOs might be included.
Following the expertsʼ remarks, the general discussion touched upon four key issues: (1) public
understanding of the VPO concept and measures that should be taken at (2) the community andoperational level, (3) the national level and (4) the international level. All participants agreed that theseissues must be addressed in order to enhance public recognition of VPOs.
(1) Public Understanding of the VPO Concept
In countries with active VPO systems, the general public may have a basic understanding of the VPO
concept, or at least the existence of VPOs. However, it was suggested that in most countries there is alack of public understanding of the goals of community corrections. Consequently, it is important thatactions are taken on all levels and by all countries to enhance public understanding of community
corrections and, where applicable, the VPO concept. At the community level, this does not necessarily
require expertise; rather, it requires someone who has standing in the community and knowledge of local
resources. It was proposed that efforts to enhance public understanding should focus on open dialogue
with members of the public, explaining that the role of VPOs is to provide offenders with support for theirreintegration rather than monitoring them or enforcing compliance with conditions of probation.
(2) Community and Operational Level
A number of countries reported issues with the aging of the VPO population, stating that they faced
challenges in the recruitment of VPOs at the community level. It was proposed that the engagement ofyouth as VPOs should be prioritized, citing the possible benefits of expanding the recruitment pool andthat younger VPOs may relate better to younger offenders. However, it was also pointed out that olderVPOs can still play an important role in mentoring younger offenders despite differences incommunication style and technological ability. One innovative idea for recruitment is to allow community
participation in the nomination and selection of VPOs, which would also enhance public understanding andacceptance of VPOsʼ roles. The discussion also addressed the question of whether former offenders shouldbe allowed to serve as VPOs. Although differing perspectives were shared, some believe quite strongly
that former offenders can be extremely effective at relating to offenders and showing them the path torehabilitation and desistance based on their actual experience. From an operational perspective, a numberof ideas were presented, including enhancing the professionalism of VPOs by recruiting nurses, mental
health practitioners, lawyers, etc., encouraging VPOs to operate in teams of two or three, encouraging
VPOs to work directly with social welfare agencies, partnering with NGOs, and expanding the use ofoffender rehabilitation support centers, which allow VPOs to conduct their work and meet with offenders
in a safe, collegial environment.
(3) National Level
Some of the participants stressed the importance of enhancing national recognition of the efforts of VPOs.
Measures discussed during the session included publication of annual reports on VPOs activities,
strengthening press relations and communicating with the public through the media, establishing anational recognition day for VPOs, conducting law-related education for citizens, offering tax incentives toVPOs to encourage more working professionals to volunteer, and offering preference to students who151

RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES No. 104

serve as VPOs when seeking government jobs.
(4) International Level
There was general agreement that the VPO concept is not so well known at the international level andthat measures need to be taken to enhance awareness globally. One idea that garnered unanimous
support was to promote the establishment of an International Volunteer Probation Officersʼ Day. It wasalso noted that countries with active or developing VPO systems should promote the concept atinternational conferences, including the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and CriminalJustice, which will be held in Kyoto, Japan in 2020. It was also suggested that the 2020 Congress presents
the unique opportunity to hold the Third Asia Volunteer Probation Officers Meeting as a side event,which would draw international attention to VPO systems.
4. Closing Address
Ms. Naomi UNEMOTO, Director General of the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice of Japan,
delivered the closing address, noting that the country presentations identified tremendous work among
the VPO and community corrections systems represented at the Meeting, as well as a number of common
challenges facing these systems, and that many important initiatives for enhancing public recognition for
VPOs were proposed and discussed during the plenary session in terms of enhancing public recognition
for VPOs. The Rehabilitation Bureau, in cooperation with UNAFEI, will use their best efforts to promote
the public recognition of VPOs at the international level.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2017TOKYO, JAPAN152