Ministry of Justice - Japan SIB Pilot

In Japan, around 1,700 juveniles are released annually from juvenile training schools and then transferred to parole supervision in community settings, out of whom about 75% seek employment[1]. Although unemployment status in the community setting is known to increase the risk for reoffending, there already exists a number of mechanisms for supporting juvenile training school parolees into employment. Japan's Public Employment Security Office aid young delinquents with their job search, and more informally, there are more and more employers who have become less apprehensive about hiring those with criminal records.

In contrast, the remaining 25% who wish to pursue higher education or return to school after their release have historically faced significant barriers. While juvenile training schools provide tutoring and exam guidance for upper secondary school equivalency examinations, more than 70% of them have not been admitted to schools upon their release1. While they can obtain support from volunteers in the community setting, they do not receive the same level of education that they would have received in educational establishments.

Obstacles to juvenile delinquents’ access to education is a compounded by broader issues they face in their lives. More than 80% of juvenile delinquents have faced academic difficulties in the past, with those who have been in juvenile training schools experiencing higher level of school maladjustment and interpersonal alienation within the school[2]. In addition, it is found that those experiencing family conflicts are more likely to have poor academic and employment outcomes after their release[3]. As a result, many find it challenging to continue their studies on their own due to the lack of a supportive environment, which dampens their motivation.

[1] White Paper on Crime 2021 (Japanese only)

[2] White Paper on Crime 2011 (Japanese only)

[3] MOJ Research Department Report 54 (Japanese only)

The Japanese Ministry of Justice has launched a 3-year Social Impact Bond (SIB) Programme with an aim to provide learning support for juvenile parolees in 2021. This is the first SIB commissioned by the Japanese central government.

The programme offers seamless learning support from the same service providers for a period of up to 1 year, beginning while the delinquents are still in training schools. The service providers develop a tailored support plan and offer in-person and online lessons to help young delinquents develop basic academic skills and study habits, with an aim to facilitate independent study. To complement this academic support, the providers also offer career guidance for participants and their parents.

As a result of planning competitive bidding, the consortium of 3 providers has been selected: Kumon Co., Ltd Kizuki Co., Ltd and Mofumofunet (NPO). Kumon, the leading provider, is an educational service company with a long history of practice, providing support for 3.72 million learners (total number of learners in all subjects) in over 50 countries worldwide, including in juvenile training schools. The company had also been delivered services in previous SIBs programmes launched by local authorities and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Kumon provides materials and bring expertise and their tested learning methods, while Kizuki and Mofumofunet will assist with tailored educational and psychological support for each participant.

The first cohort of participants is engaged in the programme, and no results are currently available