slang banned from prisons to improve the reintegration of prisoners

Experts have said part of the deterioration in the climate in a detention center is linked to prison slang. The Japanese Ministry of Justice has therefore decided to ban certain words.

Should we show more respect when addressing prisoners? This is what a group of experts in Japan has just concluded after having conducted an investigation into the mistreatment suffered by inmates at Nagoya Prison. They believe that part of the deterioration of the climate in the detention center was linked to the slang used in prison. So, the Japanese Ministry of Justice explains that it is time to change the atmosphere in the country’s prisons, which are known to be very harsh.

The Japanese authorities want something of a change in philosophy. They explain that we must now focus on the rehabilitation of prisoners and do everything to better prepare for their return to society. This preparation involves a change in vocabulary. As of April 1, 2024, guards will no longer be required to use prison slang or jargon that they usually use when talking to each other about inmates. In total, there will now be around thirty words banned in the country’s prisons.

In Japan, there is a whole slang that you only find in prison, a bit like French. Pfor example, for the haircut, we say “gari”which automatically refers to a very short cut. For food, we’re going to talk about “mosso”, which is the steel bowl used to measure a portion of rice. The guards also have the habit of using very derogatory terms when talking about the detainees. They can say “yoeki” Or “yatsura“, basically these thugs or these losers. On the other hand, they often demand to be called “sensei” by prisoners, an honorary title used for one’s teachers.

Guards and inmates must call each other “Sir”

With the reform, we now use everyday vocabulary, that which is used outside of prison. And when they talk to each other, the guards and inmates will give each other slightly more egalitarian titles. Guardians must use the formula “san” at the end of the prisoner’s last name, the equivalent of Monsieur. And the prisoners will call the guards “Shokuin-san”that is to say Mr. Officer.

This change in vocabulary should make it possible to improve the situation in prisons or reintegration. VSThis is what the Ministry of Justice wants to believe, but activists have serious doubts about the effectiveness of this measure. Above all, they regret a form of impunity from the supervisors. Those who had committed serious mistreatment against detainees in Nagoya were not really punished. And they would like the country to reform its penal policy more thoroughly and stop systematically sending people convicted of petty crimes to detention. Because these are the people who often have difficulty reintegrating into society.