拘置所

• Reading: こうちしょ
• Romaji: kouchisho
• Kanji breakdown: 拘 (kou) — restrain, hold; 置 (chi) — place, put; 所 (sho) — place, facility
• Pronunciation: /ko.ː.tɕi.ɕo/

Meaning

Detention centre; holding facility; jail. A facility where suspects or defendants are held before or during trial, distinct from a prison for convicted inmates.

In Japan's justice system, 拘置所 houses those awaiting trial (未決拘禁者) and those on death row. It is distinct from 刑務所 (keimusho, prison), which holds convicted and sentenced inmates. Japan's 拘置所 system has drawn criticism from international observers for extended pre-trial detention periods, sometimes lasting months.

Examples

1. 逮捕された容疑者は東京拘置所に移送され、取り調べが続いている。 The arrested suspect was transferred to the Tokyo Detention House, where questioning continues.
2. 弁護士は被告との接見のため拘置所を週に二度訪れていた。 The defence lawyer visited the detention centre twice a week to meet with the defendant.
3. 拘置所内での処遇改善を求める声が人権団体から上がっている。 Human rights groups have called for improvements to conditions inside detention centres.

Usage Guide

Context: law, criminal justice, journalism, human rights

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 拘置 (kouchii, detention, holding in custody) and 所 (sho, place, facility). 拘 means to restrain or hold, and 置 means to place. The term designates a specific institutional function within Japan's criminal procedure law.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal