Detention in a workhouse - roeki joryuuchi

A punishment given to those who are unable to pay the full amount of a fine or a penalty. A detention period is set and handed down at the same time as the sentence for the fine or penalty. The detention period is between one day and two years for a fine, and between one day and 30 days for a penalty, but it can be extended to three years if a fine or both a fine and a penalty are imposed, and up to 60 days if a penalty is imposed. For those who have paid part of the amount, the period is determined on a pro rata basis for the unpaid portion, but payments were not allowed for amounts that were less than one day of detention, but in 2006, the law was revised to allow payments for amounts that were less than one day of detention to be paid as the equivalent of one day of detention (Article 18 of the Penal Code). Workhouses are attached to penal institutions, and the provisions that apply to prisoners serving imprisonment under the Penal Detention Facility Act apply mutatis mutandis to those detained in workhouses (Articles 287 and 288 of the Penal Detention Facility Act). While it is essentially a substitute punishment in that it involves restrictions on freedom, it is also considered a special method of enforcing fines or penalties. In addition, sentencing of juveniles is prohibited (Juvenile Law, Article 54).

[Shuichi Susuki and Masaoki Ishikawa]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

罰金または科料を完納することができない者に対して行われる処分。罰金または科料の言渡しと同時に留置期間を定めて言い渡す。留置期間は罰金の場合1日以上2年以下、科料の場合1日以上30日以下であるが、罰金を併科し、または罰金と科料を併科する場合には3年まで、科料を併科する場合には60日まで延長しうる。一部を納めた者に対しては、未納部分につき日割計算で期間を定めるが、留置1日に満たない金額は納付できないとされていたところ、2006年（平成18）の改正で、留置1日に満たない金額でも、留置1日分として納付することが可能となった（刑法18条）。労役場は刑事施設に附置されることになっており、労役場留置者には刑事収容施設法上、懲役受刑者に適用すべき規定が準用される（刑事収容施設法287条・288条）。自由の制限が伴う点で実質的には換刑処分でありつつ、罰金または科料の特殊な執行方法ともされる。なお、少年に対する言渡しは禁止されている（少年法54条）。

［須々木主一・石川正興］

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