Japanese Community Guidance Delegates Conduct Study Visit to West Jakarta Probation Office
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A delegation of Hogoshi, or Japanese community guidance volunteers, conducted a study visit to the West Jakarta Probation Office (Bapas Jakbar) in Palmerah on Friday.
Head of Bapas Jakarta Barat, Sri Susilarti, stated that during the event, the Hogoshi delegation learned about guidance methods and social reintegration programmes for probation clients.
“They wanted to see what the guidance methods at this Bapas are like. Earlier, we toured the client guidance areas, more or less like that,” Sri told reporters at the location on Friday.
Sri explained that several flagship programmes were demonstrated to the Hogoshi delegation, particularly those focused on building economic independence as a foundation for social reintegration.
“Our flagship programme is to enable our probation clients to have an independent life. Perhaps if you saw earlier, our clients are trained in hydroponic planting, considering Jakarta’s limited space. Thus, we hope that hydroponics becomes part of their livelihood capital,” Sri said.
Sri added that they also have a catfish breeding training programme for probation clients, using alternative media such as buckets for rearing.
“That is our effort to enhance independence guidance in any form, by collaborating with local government, community groups, and other stakeholders,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Shoji Imafuku, Executive Director of the Japanese Hogoshi Federation, highlighted the hands-on skills training taught by Bapas Jakbar to probation clients.
“Also, how they are provided with real assistance or grants to help them become independent after their legal process is completed,” Shoji said.
According to him, concrete efforts like skills training are not only technical guidance but also effective in enhancing their self-value for returning to society.
It is known that Hogoshi are volunteer community guidance officers in Japan appointed by the Minister of Justice to assist in the rehabilitation and social reintegration of prisoners or juvenile offenders.