The 174th International Senior Seminar“Prevention of Reoffending and Fostering Social Inclusion: From Policy to Good Practice”

1. Duration and Participants
From 16 January to 14 February 2020
16 overseas participants from 13 jurisdictions
7 domestic participants
2. Programme Overview
In order to build a safe and inclusive society, it is crucial not only to prevent reoffending but also
to facilitate offenders’ rehabilitation and reintegration as responsible members of society.
International community has been fully conscious of the importance of social inclusion of those who
committed crimes, and has taken steps towards its achievement.
In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the “2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment” (or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)), and Goal 16 of the SDGs is to“promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for
all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels” (Goal 16). Towards thegoal of building inclusive societies, it is important for criminal justice authorities to take measures
to ensure each offender’s rehabilitation and reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.
Although the main purpose of criminal proceedings is to clarify the facts of the offense
through investigation and prosecution, and then to decide a proportionate penalty or casedisposition, the importance of offender rehabilitation should not be underestimated. Ultimately,
almost all imprisoned offenders return to society, therefore the whole criminal justice process
should seek to impose effective measures with collecting adequate information for offender
rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Given the variety of needs of offenders, it is evident that criminal justice authorities alone are
not able to provide all necessary interventions, treatment and support. Since offenders return andlive their lives in the community, community-based approaches cannot be pursued without
understanding and acceptance of the community members. Therefore, it is important to sensitize thegeneral public and community members in order for them to understand that the rehabilitation ofoffenders and their social inclusion is the best way to prevent reoffending and to establish a safe
and inclusive society. A high level of awareness in, and cooperation from, the community canaccelerate setting up successful partnerships with various stakeholders.
This program offers participants an opportunity to share experiences and knowledges focusingon (1) incorporating rehabilitative perspectives into penalties and case dispositions, (2) promotinginterventions, treatment and support tailored to offenders’ individual needs and (3) forming multistakeholder partnerships and engage the community in the social reintegration of offenders.

13. Lectures
The following visiting experts from overseas and ad hoc lecturers from Japan, as well as
professors of UNAFEI, gave lectures:○ Visiting Experts
Dr. Matti Joutsen
Special AdvisorThailand Institute of JusticeMs. Jana ŠperoAssistant Minister
Directorate for Prison System and Probation, Ministry of Justice of the Republic ofCroatia
Mr. Matthew Wee Yik KeongChief Executive Officer
Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE)○ Lecturers
Mr. Okamoto Yasuhiro
Deputy Director
Planning and Reoffending Prevention Promotion Office, Secretarial Division,
Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Justice
Mr. Eto Shohei
Deputy Director
Employment Support Office, Employment Development Policy Planning Division,
Employment Security Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labor, Welfare
Mr. Yosuke Miyashita
Chief Vocational Guidance Officer
Kawagoe Public Employment Security Office2