Issues and solutions faced by consultation and support organizations in “Criminal justice and community cooperation”

This study, led by Professor Akemi Washino of Nihon Fukushi University (Japan Welfare University) and Takafumi Watanabe of Health Science University, investigates the intersection of criminal justice and social welfare in Japan, with a focus on supporting the social reintegration of individuals who have committed crimes. The research examines the role and challenges faced by local consultation and support organisations–such as community comprehensive support centres (which serve as general consultation services for older adults), core consultation centres (which provide general consultation services for persons with disabilities), and welfare offices (public agencies responsible for welfare services, with this study specifically focusing on the departments supporting people facing economic hardship)–in bridging the gap between punitive and rehabilitative systems. Amid rising numbers of elderly and disabled repeat offenders, the need for coordinated care and support has become increasingly urgent. Using a nationwide survey, the study gathered nearly 2,000 responses, revealing that over half of the welfare practitioners found it difficult to respond to requests for support from criminal justice institutions, and a similar percentage expressed concern about such future requests. The findings point to a significant disconnect between welfare systems and the criminal justice sector, compounded by the absence of an institutional framework. The research highlights the importance of social work expertise in linking systems, professionals, and community resources to develop collaborative mechanisms that prevent vulnerable individuals from falling through systemic cracks. The study calls for policy reform and cross-sector collaboration to build sustainable, community-based support systems that align with evolving social realities. Funded by JSPS Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, this project contributes new knowledge to an under-researched field, offering actionable insights to enhance reintegration strategies for socially marginalised offenders.