A survey by a civic group opposed to capital punishment shows at least 42 of some 100 death-row inmates in Japan have filed for retrials, with many suspecting false charges against them, while 19 more said they are planning to follow suit, the group said Saturday.
In the survey by Forum 90, respondents also revealed what was agonizing or distressing to them. One cited the inmates' situation of not knowing when they would be executed by the state until the last minute, while another mentioned thinking about the victim of the crime, the Tokyo-based group said.
Forum 90 said it sent questionnaires to death-row inmates in detention centers nationwide in late July through their families and lawyers, and received replies from 76 people ranging in age from their 20s to 80s. The respondents include 2 of the 3 people executed on Sept. 11.
According to the Justice Ministry, 102 people were on death row as of Sept. 11. The Code of Criminal Procedure requires they be executed within 6 months of the death sentence being confirmed, but the 6-month period does not kick in if, for instance, a retrial procedure is pending.
In the 10 years up to 2006, 30 people were executed and it had taken on average 7 years and 11 months for the death penalty to be carried out. The average period before being executed has become shorter in recent years with inmates being executed at a quick pace since December last year.
A total of 13 inmates have been executed so far this year, the most in a single year since 1999 when the government started announcing the number of executions. Execution is by hanging in Japan.
Forum 90 said the results of the survey are still being compiled but that nearly half the respondents said they are seeking help from chaplains of some faiths, while many said they see doctors or receive drugs to maintain their health.
On other aspects of life in detention centers, some cited improvements after the inmate treatment law was instituted in 2005 following reports of assaults on prison inmates by administrators at Nagoya Prison in 2001 and 2002. The provisions of the law on death-row inmates took effect last year, while those on prison inmates came into effect the previous year.
Death-row inmates are put into "detention centers" until their execution, rather than into prison where other convicted criminals serve time.
As examples of improvement, one cited the chance to meet and write to friends, while another said the chances of getting physical exercise have increased. Previously, visitation was limited to relatives and lawyers.
But others noted a shortening of periods for meeting visitors or reduced opportunities to receive gifts such as books.
The results of the survey will be announced on Oct. 11 at an event to be held in Tokyo to mark the World Day against the Death Penalty on Oct. 10, the group said.
Source: Kyodo News International
In the survey by Forum 90, respondents also revealed what was agonizing or distressing to them. One cited the inmates' situation of not knowing when they would be executed by the state until the last minute, while another mentioned thinking about the victim of the crime, the Tokyo-based group said.
Forum 90 said it sent questionnaires to death-row inmates in detention centers nationwide in late July through their families and lawyers, and received replies from 76 people ranging in age from their 20s to 80s. The respondents include 2 of the 3 people executed on Sept. 11.
According to the Justice Ministry, 102 people were on death row as of Sept. 11. The Code of Criminal Procedure requires they be executed within 6 months of the death sentence being confirmed, but the 6-month period does not kick in if, for instance, a retrial procedure is pending.
In the 10 years up to 2006, 30 people were executed and it had taken on average 7 years and 11 months for the death penalty to be carried out. The average period before being executed has become shorter in recent years with inmates being executed at a quick pace since December last year.
A total of 13 inmates have been executed so far this year, the most in a single year since 1999 when the government started announcing the number of executions. Execution is by hanging in Japan.
Forum 90 said the results of the survey are still being compiled but that nearly half the respondents said they are seeking help from chaplains of some faiths, while many said they see doctors or receive drugs to maintain their health.
On other aspects of life in detention centers, some cited improvements after the inmate treatment law was instituted in 2005 following reports of assaults on prison inmates by administrators at Nagoya Prison in 2001 and 2002. The provisions of the law on death-row inmates took effect last year, while those on prison inmates came into effect the previous year.
Death-row inmates are put into "detention centers" until their execution, rather than into prison where other convicted criminals serve time.
As examples of improvement, one cited the chance to meet and write to friends, while another said the chances of getting physical exercise have increased. Previously, visitation was limited to relatives and lawyers.
But others noted a shortening of periods for meeting visitors or reduced opportunities to receive gifts such as books.
The results of the survey will be announced on Oct. 11 at an event to be held in Tokyo to mark the World Day against the Death Penalty on Oct. 10, the group said.
Source: Kyodo News International
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