Ratio of elderly ex-inmates returning to prison within 2 years increases

Many old folks are TRYING to get into jail in order to have shelter & food, those released simply get "caught" again, often on purpose this has been happening already for many years & numbers are set to skyrocket!

Nasty future ahead for Japan, the nastiness is already started actually

I understand the strictness of life in prison, but I am going to say that these folks who return rather like and appreciate the daily routines and strictness as they do not have to think for themselves and just do what they are told. Please they get three meals a day and a place to sleep.

A lot of people here make it seem to be the fault of the OAP's

Infact, I would counter that, by saying they are survivalists and doing what is necessary in order to Survive.

Even at 50, its hard to find work, so if you're an OAP then forget it. So Society itself has a problem.

Options.

Kill them all because they cant contribute to Society

Simple.

Right now, we should see this action from the OAPs as a cry for help.

Japanese prisons have no A/C in summer and no heating in winter. That has to suck.

Ahhh another effect of Abenomics.

a geriatric crime wave making Japanese prisons look increasingly like nursing homes

You hit the nail on the head there. Free food, shelter, and nursing care.

This problem is a microcosm of fact, when it comes to the poor support mechanisms for the aging. And it's not just Japan, it's happening in almost all 1st-world countries. The older you get, the less you're worth, unless you have a bundle you're going to leave your kids. And then, they would rather see you put away so they can get their 'just rewards'. Seen it happen in my family, and I'm disgusted. I'd rather take the old bird into my home and put up with her incontinence and intolerance of what society has done to her than see her in jail, just because she wants a roof over her head and three squares a day.

Build food banks, not prisons.

It is more humane, and will also cost the taxpayer less.

Three square meals a day, a futon to sleep on and a bath a couple of times a week. These 'oyajis' rarely talk or socialise, so prison rules are not much of a hardship. But it does seem rather an expensive solution to caring for these folk. Could more be done in the community?

Let's see... family probably want nothing to do with them else be ostracized at work. Can't work anymore either from lack of skills or lack of employers willing to hire ex-cons. Want a roof over their head and some healthcare. Prisons don't even need to advertise

With limited bathing, no air con in the summer and increasing incontinence then Japanese prisons are going stink!

Applause is generally forbidden.

Put on some local Telly and you’d be able to do away with that rule.

I'm interested that the photo shows women, although the article gives no information about gender. My own prejudices made me think in terms of male prisoners and prisons. Is there any information about differences between male and female patterns with regard to age-related recidivism?

Two hots and a cot.

@kurisupisu

Most Japanese already stink! Particularly in the morning... undignified morning commute with a scent of sour milk and soy... a revolting combination.

A morning shower wouldn't harm people!

Because they have a good shelter and a family who they can call an in mates.

Japanese prisons have no A/C in summer and no heating in winter. That has to suck.

Yeah, BUT for more & more elderly, they ARE choosing to try to get INTO the big house, rather damning how society is deteriorating here

Japanese prisons are probably seen by some of the more desperate denizens of the underclass as the only viable "retirement home". "To each his own", in its more sinister context, is the cold operating principle of pseudo-welfare under today's regime of neo-liberalism, a threadbare ideology that has long passed its shelf life.