The Japanese penal system is a murky realm since contact between inmates and the outside world is limited. Much of what is reported about prison life is received from indirect sources.
Tonight, Nippon TV's "Document '01" (12:25 a.m.) takes a look at Yamaguchi Prison in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The prison holds 500 male inmates, all over the age of 26. Seven years ago, the warden at the time started a radio station whose programs are planned, produced and announced by prisoners. In the beginning, these programs were broadcast once a month for only 30 minutes at a time. Now the broadcasts last an hour and are aired once a week. Though other prisons in Japan have radio stations, Yamaguchi's is the only one where the inmates do everything.
The programs, which are heard only by the inmates, are typical DJ radio shows, and the playlists are determined by request cards submitted by the prisoners. According to the current warden, the idea is to "motivate the inmates to reflect on their situations now as well as on their situations before they committed crimes." Apparently, the prison authorities believe that by requesting nostalgic songs, the prisoners can better appreciate the freedom they once enjoyed.