Society
Religion Helps Inmates Confront Their Crimes as Japanese Prisons Adapt
More than 200 inmates at a Japanese prison sat in silent prayer as a Buddhist monk chanted sutras for prisoners, crime victims and the deceased, in a ceremony reflecting how correctional facilities are adapting to inmates' religious needs. For many serving sentences, the practice is a chance to confront their crimes and the harm done to victims and their families. Religion is viewed as a form of spiritual support alongside other rehabilitation measures.