Elderly Japanese Voluntarily Go to Prison: CNN Explains the Trend.

Elderly Japanese Prisoners Voluntarily in Prisons

In Japan, elderly people are voluntarily choosing prison to secure their livelihood. According to CNN, a women's prison in Japan is primarily filled with retirees. Advocates claim that loneliness has become such a significant problem for prisoners that they choose to remain behind bars.

There are even people who say they are willing to pay 20,000 or 30,000 (5404-8106 UAH) yen a month (if they can) to live here permanently, said Tochigi women's prison employee Takeji Shiralaga.

Inmates are provided with regular meals, free medical care, attention, and communication, which they lack in freedom.

There are very good people in this prison. Perhaps this life is the most stable for me, admitted an 81-year-old felon serving time for food theft.

It is also noted that 20% of Japanese people aged 65 and older live in poverty.

There are people who come here because it's cold or because they are hungry. They can receive free medical care while in prison, but after release, they will have to pay for it themselves, so some people want to stay here as long as possible, said an employee.

Additionally, Tokyo authorities plan to introduce a four-day workweek for civil servants to increase the birth rate.