“Dai-kou” or Big Detention Center. That is the nickname for the Osaka Detention House. It is not exactly a flattering moniker. But it reflects the size and significance of this facility.
Welcome to the Osaka Detention House. We are standing before a place with a long history. It is a place that continues to function today. This detention center is one of eight such facilities in Japan.
The Osaka Detention House is located in Osaka. Its exact address is 1-2-5 Tomobuchi-cho Miyakojima-ku Osaka. This location has been its home for many years.
This detention center is the second largest in Japan after the Tokyo Detention House. As of 2013, it also manages the Amagasaki Detention Branch.
The Osaka Detention House has a capacity of 2500 people. This number is reduced during reconstruction work. The building is undergoing renovations. The facilities are aging. The renovations aim to improve living conditions. They also hope to improve safety.
What kind of inmates does the Osaka Detention House hold? The facility houses pre-trial detainees who are criminal defendants. It also houses inmates awaiting execution.
Inmates at the Osaka Detention House engage in penal labor. Some perform simple tasks like assembling products. Others perform tasks to maintain the prison itself.
The Osaka Detention House has a dark side. There have been incidents of human rights violations. In 2021, there were reports of prolonged surveillance. Detainees were continuously monitored by cameras. The Osaka Bar Association condemned this. They stated it infringed on privacy rights.
In 2023, the Osaka Bar Association highlighted another issue. Transgender inmates were denied access to cosmetics. The Justice Ministry’s regulations were discriminatory.
Despite these challenges, the Osaka Detention House continues to operate. It plays a crucial role in Japan’s justice system. It processes individuals awaiting trial and those facing execution. It also works to improve conditions and uphold human rights.