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In Japan’s Tochigi Women’s Prison, elderly inmates shuffle through corridors, some aided by walkers. Many receive help with daily tasks like bathing, eating, and taking medication. But this isn’t just a prison - it’s become a refuge for some of Japan’s aging women, who find more stability behind bars than in the outside world.
A Desperate Choice
Akiyo, an 81-year-old inmate, embodies this growing trend. Serving time for shoplifting food, she sees prison as a stable haven. “There are very good people in this prison,” she said. “Perhaps this life is the most stable for me.”
Prison provides three meals a day, free healthcare, and companionship—things many elderly struggle to afford or find outside. Some inmates even wish to stay permanently. “There are people who say they would pay to live here forever,” said prison officer Takayoshi Shiranaga.
For 51-year-old Yoko, serving her fifth sentence for drug-related charges, each return to prison reveals a growing elderly population. “Some commit crimes on purpose to return when they run out of money,” she said.
Poverty and Isolation
Many elderly women in Japan turn to crime out of desperation. More than 20% of those over 65 live in poverty, far exceeding the OECD average of 14.2%. Theft is the most common offense, with over 80% of elderly female inmates incarcerated for shoplifting in 2022.
Akiyo first went to prison in her 60s for stealing food. Her second offense came years later, when she was living on a small pension paid every two months. With just $40 left and two weeks until her next payment, she stole food again, leading to her imprisonment.
With little family support, Akiyo had lost hope. Her 43-year-old son, who lived with her before her sentence, frequently told her, “I wish you’d just go away.” Left feeling unwanted and hopeless, she admitted, “I just wanted to die.”
For many, prison offers a kind of security. “Some come here because they’re hungry or cold,” said Shiranaga. “They can get free medical care inside, but once they leave, they have to pay for it themselves. Some want to stay as long as possible.”
Prison Becoming a Nursing Home
Japan’s aging crisis has reshaped the prison system. The number of inmates aged 65 and older nearly quadrupled from 2003 to 2022, forcing institutions to adapt.
“Tochigi Prison feels more like a nursing home than a place for criminals,” Shiranaga said. Guards now assist elderly inmates with diapers, bathing, and mobility. Some prisons even rely on inmates with nursing qualifications to care for others. Yoko, for instance, earned her caregiver certification during a past sentence and now helps elderly prisoners with daily tasks.
A Struggle to Reintegrate
The challenge extends beyond prison walls. Upon release, many elderly ex-convicts struggle to reintegrate into society. “Even if they return to normal life, they often have no one to look after them,” said a guard named Megumi. “Some have been abandoned by their families and have nowhere to go.”
Recognizing the problem, Japan’s government has expanded support programs for former inmates, including independent living guidance, addiction recovery, and family relationship counseling. Some municipalities are also testing initiatives to provide housing for elderly individuals with no relatives. However, with Japan’s aging population requiring an estimated 2.72 million care workers by 2040, the demand for elderly support continues to grow.
A Difficult Future
Akiyo was released in October, but she felt deep shame and feared facing her son. “I’m afraid of how he might perceive me,” she admitted before her release. “Being alone is difficult, and I feel ashamed to be in this situation. I wish I had made different choices, but I’m too old to change now.”
For many elderly Japanese women, prison is no longer just a place of punishment - it’s a place of last resort.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk
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