Summary of Life Inside Japanese Toughest Prison

Key Lifestyle Tips and Health Routines

Adaptation to Prison Life: Inmates must learn strict discipline and follow numerous rules, including:
- Memorizing their prisoner number and the prison regulations.
- Engaging in intellectual activities and avoiding idleness.
Work and Routine:
- Inmates work 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, with work assignments being mandatory.
- The prison emphasizes rehabilitation through work, teaching skills like carpentry, sewing, and auto mechanics.
Meal Structure:
- Meals are categorized into three menus based on the physical demands of the inmates' work.
- Eating is a timed activity with limited conversation allowed.

Travel Highlights

The narrative includes the journey of a French inmate who traveled to Japan and was arrested for drug trafficking. His travels included visits to countries like Nepal, Thailand, and Sri Lanka before his arrest.

Notable Locations

Fuchu Prison: The facility is noted for housing a significant number of foreign prisoners and is described as having a military-style discipline.

Prison Regulations

Strict Code of Conduct:
- Inmates must adhere to a detailed set of rules that govern behavior, including how to sit, walk, and interact.
- Selfishness is discouraged, and inmates are encouraged to reflect on their past actions.
Psychological Training:
- Inmates are urged to engage in self-reflection and personal development during their time in prison.

Rehabilitation and Reintegration

The prison system aims to rehabilitate inmates to reduce recidivism and prepare them for reintegration into society. The importance of discipline, self-control, and the development of a strong conscience is emphasized as crucial for a successful transition back to life outside prison.

Notable Speakers

The video features a former French inmate who shares his experiences and insights into the prison system, as well as prison staff who explain the operational and rehabilitative aspects of the facility.

Overall, the video presents a stark view of life in Fuchu Prison, highlighting the balance between strict discipline and the goal of rehabilitation, while also touching on the personal journeys of those incarcerated.

Notable Quotes

— 24:37 — « I'm becoming a robot. I'm being trained to be a robot. I no longer have an identity. I no longer have a name. I only have a number. »

— 29:51 — « The most severe punishment is to meditate all day sitting on one knee. »

— 37:30 — « I think that the persecution of individuals, if there is any, is caused by the detainee in the prison. »

— 44:42 — « I took it as a monastic life. I have the impression of overcoming. »

— 47:15 — « We take it really to heart and very seriously even if in the end we win a bar of soap or a hairbrush. »