Day 10 features Ryo Murase, who was involved in the preservation and revitalization project of the former Nara Prison from a national standpoint as a Ministry of Justice official.
The primary goal of a prison is to prevent reoffending by encouraging inmates to reform and supporting their reintegration into society. To achieve this, it is crucial that we, as correctional officers and the prison itself, are understood and accepted by the members of society to which the inmates will eventually return. At the Nara Prison Museum, I was primarily involved with Block B, which focuses on the theme of Discipline and Daily Life. In Block B, the lives of inmates are introduced through various perspectives. From exhibits on familiar topics like meals and hygiene to the introduction of the latest rehabilitation programs, the reality of an inmate’s life is brought to light through videos and reconstructed models. I hope that through these exhibits, the Nara Prison Museum will help increase social interest in correctional administration.
After being recruited by the Correction Bureau of the Ministry of Justice and working at prisons, Ryo Murase served as the Assistant Officer of the Public-Private Partnership Planning Section, Adult Correction Division, Correction Bureau, from April 2024 to March 2026, where he was in charge of the former Nara Prison preservation and revitalization project. By utilizing the expertise of private sectors, we have achieved innovative exhibits that are not bound by conventional ideas, says Murase.
Follow the series on Instagram: “The Exquisite Prison and the 30”
