Job Discussion Forums

junk'n · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Posts: 12

Has anyone ever visited a friend or someone they know who is doing time in a Japanese prison? Is it ok for friends to visit or is it restricted to family members only?

buffy · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 57

Yes, a few times, but a while back in my wilder days. At that time and in that jail the prisoner could only have one visitor a day for 15 minutes. Where I visited, I could not speak in English because everything that was being said was being recorded. But one guy was transferred to a new place in a different prefecture and then only family members could visit. I would suggest contacting your friend and find out from him/her on the visiting policy. Things may have changed, but you do have to show your gaijin card before you go in and for a long time after I visited, all of the packages I received from overseas were searched. Paranoid? Not sure, but it was a strange coincidence. Same thing happened to other people who visited the people we knew in the slammer.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Yes.... have visited...

Japanese prisons are extremely strict. You must:

1. fill out a form stating who you are (in relation to the person you are visiting) in Japanese. (Helps to know the kanji for "friend") Whether they let you in or not is discretionary... I've heard of friends not being let in, but I know of enough cases where it's been allowed.

2. Know your friend's FULL name and how to spell it exactly....

3. You will most likely be REQUIRED to speak in Japanese to your friend. If neither of you can speak it, you may have a problem. in SOME, (usually rare) cases translators have been known to be let in, and everything you say to your friend, you must then repeat to the guard who is watching and listening, and likewise whatever the prisoner says.

4. Any literature you give your friend PROBABLY has to be bilingual or only in Japanese... Only English --- is discretionary and may depend where you are.

5. You will only have 10 minutes to visit.

6. Prisoners is only allowed 1 (or 2) visits per day. You may visit with one or two others, and that counts as one visit.

7. You may not give advice to your friend about what to say in court (or discuss case details).

8. The list of what you MAY and MAY NOT give your friend is extensive and varies with location.... Usually, letters, postcards, books are OK but again, see item #4... Stationary may be prohibited (as prisonners may purchase a simple notepad and pencil from the prison canteen and the government hates competition, right?)...

That's all I can think of for now... If you have any further questions, please PM me.... I can probably answer a number of them, having had recent direct experience in this regard.

If you DO have a friend who's in prison right now, you REALLY have my sympathies -- and so does your friend... It's a tough thing -- really no joke in Japan. The strictness is quite shocking to most Westerners. If you CAN visit, I really encourage you to do so -- you will keep your friend SANE! Even if it's something as simple as an overstayed visa deportation case, they can be in jail for 3 months or more, depending on how fast the paperwork and bureaucracy moves....

Iwantmyrightsnow · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 202

[quote="JimDunlop2"]
3. You will most likely be REQUIRED to speak in Japanese to your friend. If neither of you can speak it, you may have a problem. in SOME, (usually rare) cases translators have been known to be let in, and everything you say to your friend, you must then repeat to the guard who is watching and listening, and likewise whatever the prisoner says.

4. Any literature you give your friend PROBABLY has to be bilingual or only in Japanese... Only English --- is discretionary and may depend where you are.

6. Prisoners is only allowed 1 (or 2) visits per day. You may visit with one or two others, and that counts as one visit.

8. The list of what you MAY and MAY NOT give your friend is extensive and varies with location.... Usually, letters, postcards, books are OK but again, see item #4... Stationary may be prohibited (as prisonners may purchase a simple notepad and pencil from the prison canteen and the government hates competition, right?)...

[quote]

The rules vary greatly depending upon the person is in custody awaiting trial or if they have actualy been sentenced.

Technically you should communicate in Japanese but each guard follows the rules differently and you may be able to speak some English. More than one person can visit at a time so take a person who can translate if necessary.

Reading material can be in English.

You can lodge money for your friend with the prison admin so that he can buy extra food/ stationary etc. Take some stamps for him. Anything you take can not be given directly. Has to be given to the guards prior to entering.

Communicate with his friends/family to see if other people will be visiting. You don't want to trapse there just to be turned away because someone else visited earlier that day. Also expect that you can be turned away because it is bath day, the lawyer is visiting, there is a court appearance. There is often no chance of finding this out before you visit.

I suggest you go and check out http://www.justicefornickbaker.org There are forums there we you can probably get more complete answers to your questions.

ps. If you take clothes don't take anything with drawstrings as they will just be taken out.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Coming from someone who has been inside in Japan, definitely visit your friend!
They are very strict and the previous posts described the situation well.
Bring reading material and visit often.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

More fun stories on what its like on the inside (this one from a female perspective, former JET)

http://www.debito.org/policeinterrogations.html

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Hi Gordon,

I was in for 49 days and nights to be exact.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Genkikiwi · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 41 Location: Sapporo

As mentioned above by Iwantmyrightsnow....

Nick Baker`s site has loads of info ...

if by chance you are contemplating visiting Tokyo Detention centre in Kosuge , then on Nicks site under the thread Prison Rules... then under Visiting Nick Made easy ...one of his supporters has put a great guide including pics and maps of how to go thru the process of visiting someone there

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

It wasn't mine!!!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Sorry about that Gordon, taking so long to reply. I was honestly debating whether or not I should. I feel so much better now, too.