Offender Care and Support by Families in Contemporary Japan: The Nexus of Gender, Shame, and Ambivalence

Scholars are broadening their analytical scope to examine the overall repercussions of criminal justice contact on families of offenders, particularly in Japan, known for its lower crime rates and more pronounced use of informal social control. This book explores how families of offenders often step in to fill the voids left by criminal justice institutions and social services, but the burden of supervising and rehabilitating offenders can render families ambivalent and ashamed. It also highlights how women can be affected by male criminality and male-dominated criminal justice institutions, other than as victims and offenders.

Format: Hardback
Length: 154 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Due to the diverse ways in which individuals interact with the criminal justice system, scholars are expanding their analytical lens to examine the comprehensive impact of such contact on the families of offenders. In contrast to Western societies, Japan is renowned for its lower crime rates and more prominent reliance on informal social control. Consequently, it serves as an invaluable research site for exploring how families in a low-crime society navigate criminal justice contact and how they contribute to the nation's crime control mechanism.

This book delves into the intricate relationship between the family and the criminal justice system in Japan, with a specific focus on gender and patriarchal power dynamics. It uncovers how cultural notions of femininity influence the criminal justice system to rely on women as its proxy. By examining how families of offenders often step in to provide comprehensive care to offenders, who are often left underserved by criminal justice institutions and social services, this book sheds light on the complex dynamics that arise within these families.

However, the burden of supervising and rehabilitating offenders, coupled with the expectation to atone for the crimes committed, places significant strain on families. This creates a sense of ambivalence and shame among families, as they struggle to navigate the complex web of responsibilities and expectations. While the state and criminal justice authorities view offenders' families as a valuable resource for prisoner reentry, this book emphasizes the importance of addressing their specific needs before assuming their support. It also pushes the boundaries of feminist criminology by highlighting how women can be affected by male criminality and male-dominated criminal justice institutions, beyond their roles as victims and offenders.

An accessible and engaging read, this book will appeal to students and scholars of criminology, sociology, gender studies, Japanese culture, and anyone with an interest in these fields. It offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between families, the criminal justice system, and societal norms, contributing to our understanding of the broader implications of criminal justice contact on individuals and communities.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367654412