A 67-year-old man who was released from prison in Tokyo in January after serving time for theft, has been arrested again on suspicion of larceny.
According to police, Manabu Isshiki entered the employees’ locker room at a bookstore in front of Ikebukuro Station at around 10 a.m. on Feb 11 and stole a wallet containing about 10,000 yen from an employee’s bag, Fuji TV reported. Police said Isshiki was identified after an analysis of surveillance camera footage.
Isshiki was arrested a year ago for stealing valuables from lockers and changing rooms in company buildings and department stores. He was released in January.
Police said Isshiki has admitted to the charge and quoted him as saying he stole the wallet because he had no money and no job.
© Japan Today
34 Comments
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wayan Ubud
I wonder happened to rehabilitation programs?
Kev James
I am not condoning his actions here, but he was set up to fail and reoffend. Surely the system should be set up better to give support so they don’t reoffend within the first 6 months.
snowymountainhell
Recidivism? In Japan?
snowymountainhell
Desperate people in desperate times lead to desperate choices. - A contrition before the court, a short-term ‘rehabilitation’ in jail but still no economic prospects lead to his relapse.
“Police said Isshiki has admitted to the [new] charge and quoted him as *saying he stole the wallet because*** he had no money and no job**.” -sakurasuki
He is living care facility called prison using tax payer money now.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/04/16/national/social-issues/prisons-japan-becoming-like-nursing-homes-amid-surge-elderly-offenders/
Hiro
People rarely learn from their mistake after being released. Only a very small percentage want to change. Should have put them to work during their prison time like other countries, otherwise it’s just a waste of tax money
BeerDeliveryGuy
Japan has no 3 strikes law, and many petty criminals have served decades in prison in 1 or two year sentences at a time.
602miko
Give that man a Job so he wont do it again.
EvilMonkey
I'm kind of curious. What does it cost to prosecute and incarcerate this guy?
If he's none violent and didn't take anything off someone's person, nor break into someone's home and he's sincere about just needing money, why not find some sort of menial public service or public works job for him to do and instead let him earn some of what would go towards keeping him in jail? If he proves to not be sincere after that by re-offending, then no further need for clemency.
Why not give him a chance though? Could be a win-win.
Good
What's the kanji for Jean Val Jean?
shogun36
Surprise surprise.
Spidey
Free food and lodging maybe?
S
Alan Harrison
Japan's penal system at it's best, yet again.
SDCA
Prison life in Japan Homeless life in Japan
Mocheake
The people need to leave a mousetrap in their locker. Would clear up his light finger habit pronto.
SDCA
there was supposed to be a greater than sign in between Japan and Homeless but it got erased above
gokai_wo_maneku
He has no job and no money. He can steal money and eat, or get caught and go to jail. Jail is free room and board. Win, win for him.
BeerDeliveryGuy
Japan does have work programs for released felons with free housing and follow up care from parole officers.
There are also work programs available for inmates within their last year, where they are kept in a minimum security facility and even given outside liberty privileges.
kurisupisu
‘No money and no work.’
I’d be tempted to steal too in such a dire situation…
KuroTokage
That guy must have had a long criminal history cause in Japan it is very unlikely to actually have to serve a prison term solely for theft.
Luddite
Criminals reoffend. This is not news. The fact that he has no money or job pretty much guaranteed this bloke would reoffend.
BertieWooster
Thus proving that the Japanese justice and penal system is not effective.
Lindsay
So, it would seem the Japanese prisoner rehabilitation system does not work, or doesn’t exist.
Chiba Semi-Lurker
Just give him crappy food and asked him to clean the toilet everyday.
Cricky
67 released from a very regimented daily routine with no help. Basically the clothes he wears. Death debilitating sickness rising on the horizon. Think this is a very low end crime. He is just another statistic tossed aside. But guaranteed no suspended sentence.
David Brent
Yes, but Japanese prison cells are not heated in winter or cooled in summer….
Brian Wheway
@wayan b, it does not matter what program you have been on, if your starving, you will do anything to get food and somthing to drink, desperate time call for desperate measures.
kaimycahl
As Japan age and the young generation have a harder time to find employment and more competition for full timers vs part-timers in work place employment you will see more crime as such as you see more unemployment.
Canucksfan
…and this makes the national news why?
so
It makes news, because this is Japan. Many think the Japanese don't suffer from the same issues as others face in their own Countries - which couldn't be further from the truth. I feel sorry for this person, he did, what was only logical to him, in order to survive - which is also the case in our respective Countries of origin.