Japan, known for its longevity and low birth rate, is facing an unexpected social phenomenon. More and more elderly people are committing petty crimes with the intention of ending up in prison. The phenomenon highlights deep-rooted problems such as social isolation, poverty and the inadequacy of the social welfare system.
In Japanese prisons, the aging population is also reflected within the walls of penal institutions. At Tochigi Women's Prison, the largest in the country, elderly women receive assistance with food and medicine. For some of them, prison offers a stability that life on the outside cannot guarantee.
One such case is Akiyo, 81, who is serving a sentence for food theft. For her, prison is not a punishment, but a refuge. “This life is more stable for me,” she says. In prison, she receives three meals a day, medical care and companionship, things she could not have on the outside, writes A2 CNN.
Many other elderly women share her story. According to data, over 80% of elderly women imprisoned in Japan have committed petty theft. Most of them are driven by poverty, as 20% of people over 65 live in difficult economic conditions.
Although the Japanese government has implemented programs to support the elderly and facilitate their reintegration, these measures are often insufficient. For many people like Akiyo, prison remains a safer alternative to the loneliness and uncertainty outside. (A2 Televizion)
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