Photo/Illutration Justice Minister Ryuji Koizumi speaks about abolishing slang language used in criminal justice facilities on Feb. 22. (Kazumichi Kubota)

Justice Minister Ryuji Koizumi said on Feb. 22 that he has ordered staff in prisons and other criminal justice facilities to use proper language and not the slang commonly used behind bars. 

The aim is to eliminate words not used in general society ahead of the enforcement of a revision to the Criminal Law, which introduces a new confinement objective of prioritizing inmate rehabilitation.

“The human heart is connected to words. If words become distorted, it can lead to abusive acts,” Koizumi said at a news conference.

According to the Justice Ministry, prison officials and staff have been using jargon that is only understood among themselves and inmates.

For example, a haircut is called a “gari,” custody “gara” and a bowl for food “mosso.”

Observers pointed out that the use of such terms causes communication problems with those who do not understand the meanings and fosters exclusivity.

In the Diet, Upper House lawmaker Muneo Suzuki, who was convicted of bribery and served time in prison, argued that “if the goal is to rehabilitate inmates into society, then commonly used words should be used.”

Effective from Feb. 9, the ministry prohibited the use of 35 words, including gari and gara, saying these are inappropriate and not used in society.

The ministry also plans to address inmates by adding Japanese honorifics “san” (Mr. or Ms.) after their last names, starting in April.

“Inappropriate practices and ways of addressing people have been established over a considerable period of time, but we would like to make this the first step in persistent efforts to improve,” Koizumi said.

In addition, effective from Feb. 9, the ministry has permitted criminal justice facilities to allow all channels to be viewed from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays.

Previously, viewing times and channel selection for TVs and radios had varied from facility to facility.

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