JAPAN. 42 DEATH-ROW INMATES ARE SEEKING RETRIALS

October 6, 2008: a survey by a Japanese citizens' group opposed to capital punishment found that at least 42 of some 100 inmates on death row have filed for retrials, with many claiming that false charges were filed against them, and another 19 are planning to follow suit. The group, Forum 90, also asked the inmates about what distresses them.
One cited not knowing until the last minute when they will be executed, while for another it was thinking about the victim of his crime. The Tokyo-based group said it sent questionnaires to death-row inmates in detention centers nationwide in late July via their families and lawyers, and received replies from 76 ranging in age from their 20s to 80s.
The respondents included two of the three people executed September 11. A total of 13 inmates have been executed so far this year, the most in a single year since 1999 when the government started announcing the number of executions.
Forum 90 said the results of the survey are still being compiled but that nearly half the respondents said they are seeking help from chaplains of some faiths, while many said they see doctors or receive drugs to maintain their health.
On other aspects of life in detention centers, some cited improvements after the inmate treatment law was instituted in 2005 following reports of assaults on prison inmates by administrators at Nagoya Prison in 2001 and 2002. The provisions of the law on death-row inmates took effect last year, while those on prison inmates came into effect the previous year.
As examples of improvement, one cited the chance to meet and write to friends, while another said the chances of getting physical exercise have increased. Previously, visitation was limited to relatives and lawyers.
But others noted a shortening of periods for meeting visitors or reduced opportunities to receive gifts such as books. (Sources: Japan Times, 06/10/2008)