IN-CJ Newsdesk – Volunteering as a Positive Role in Stopping Reoffending in Japan
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In this discussion from the IN-CJ Newsdesk 2022 Reiji Ikeda discuses how volunteer management plays a positive role in the community to stop reoffending in Japan, and what is being learnt from an integrated social approach.
This IN-CJ Newsdesk session explored the role of volunteers in probation and rehabilitation, comparing Japan’s long-established volunteer probation officer system with UK approaches to community involvement in criminal justice.
The discussion highlighted Japan’s model of Hogoshi – volunteer probation officers who work alongside professionals to supervise and support people on probation. This practice, rooted in traditions dating back to the 1880s, is unique in scale: around 46,000 volunteers operate alongside just over 1,100 professional officers. Volunteers provide monitoring, emotional support, and guidance, while also helping to mobilise community understanding and acceptance of reintegration. Campaigns in 2019, for example, engaged 3 million people across Japan.
While the benefits of this model are clear – stronger community ties, reduced stigma, and more personalised support – challenges were also raised. The average age of volunteers is now 68, raising concerns about sustainability and recruitment, especially given the increasingly complex needs of offenders.
UK contributors reflected on their own experiences of volunteering in probation and prisons. Historical initiatives such as probation day centres and community service placements were discussed alongside newer models like CAS Plus, a volunteer-led advice and support service for courts. Evidence was presented on how volunteers can encourage disclosure and problem-solving in court settings, especially when trained in sensitive and supportive questioning.
A recurring theme was that volunteers should not be seen as a “cheap fix” for underfunded services. Instead, they bring time, empathy, diversity, and community networks that professional staff cannot always provide. For volunteers themselves, the role can be transformative, offering opportunities to contribute meaningfully, learn, and grow.
This session underlined that when supported with training and supervision, volunteers can be a powerful force for rehabilitation and reintegration. Their presence helps humanise criminal justice systems, demonstrating that change is possible when communities are part of the process.
Listen to the full discussion in IN-CJ
