第一条保護司は、社会奉仕の精神をもつて、犯罪をした者及び非行のある少年の改善更生を助けるとともに、犯罪の予防のため世論の啓発に努め、もつて地域社会の浄化をはかり、個人及び公共の福祉に寄与することを、その使命とする。

Article 1In the spirit of volunteer social service, the mission of all hogoshi (volunteer probation officers) are to assist persons who have committed crimes and juvenile delinquents to improve and rehabilitate themselves, and to enlighten the public on crime prevention, thereby enhancing the local community and contributing to the welfare of both individuals and the public.

第二条保護司は、法務大臣が都道府県の区域を分けて定める区域（以下「保護区」という。）に置くものとする。

Article 2(1)Hogoshi (volunteer probation officers) are appointed in accordance with prefectural districts (hereinafter referred to as "probation districts") designated by the Minister of Justice.

２保護司の定数は、全国を通じて、五万二千五百人をこえないものとする。

(2)The total number of hogoshi (volunteer probation officers) does not exceed 52,500 throughout the country.

３保護区ごとの保護司の定数は、法務大臣がその土地の人口、経済、犯罪の状況その他の事情を考慮して定める。

(3)The set number of hogoshi (volunteer probation officers) in each probation district is determined by the Minister of Justice in consideration of the population, economy, the status of crimes, and other factors of the locality.

４第一項及び前項に規定する法務大臣の権限は、地方更生保護委員会に委任することができる。

(4)The authority of the Minister of Justice as prescribed in paragraph (1) and the preceding paragraph may be entrusted to the regional parole board.

第三条保護司は、左の各号に掲げるすべての条件を具備する者のうちから、法務大臣が、委嘱する。

Article 3(1)Hogoshi (volunteer probation officers) are delegated by the Minister of Justice from among persons who have all of the qualifications in the following items:

２法務大臣は、前項の委嘱を、地方更生保護委員会の委員長に委任することができる。

(2)The Minister of Justice may entrust the power for delegation set forth in the preceding paragraph to the chairperson of the regional parole board.

３前二項の委嘱は、保護観察所の長が推薦した者のうちから行うものとする。

(3)Delegations as set forth in the preceding two paragraphs are made from among the persons recommended by the director of the probation office.

４保護観察所の長は、前項の推薦をしようとするときは、あらかじめ、保護司選考会の意見を聴かなければならない。

(4)The director of the probation office must, when recommending the persons set forth in the preceding paragraph, hear the opinions of the Volunteer Probation Officers' Screening Commission in advance.

第四条次の各号のいずれかに該当する者は、保護司になることができない。

Article 4Any person who falls under any of the following items must not be qualified as a hogoshi (volunteer probation officer):

第五条保護観察所に、保護司選考会を置く。

Article 5(1)Volunteer Probation Officers' Screening Commissions are established at the probation offices.

２保護司選考会は、委員十三人（東京地方裁判所の管轄区域を管轄する保護観察所に置かれる保護司選考会にあつては、十五人）以内をもつて組織し、うち一人を会長とする。

(2)A Volunteer Probation Officers' Screening Commission is composed of a maximum of 13 members (a maximum of 15 in the case of the Volunteer Probation Officers' Screening Commission established at the probation office corresponding to the territorial jurisdiction of the Tokyo District Court) and one member is the chairperson.

３保護司選考会の委員には、給与を支給しない。

(3)No salary is given to any member of the Volunteer Probation Officers' Screening Commission.

４この法律で定めるもののほか、保護司選考会の組織、所掌事務、委員及び事務処理の手続については、法務省令で定める。

(4)In addition to what is provided for in this Act, the organization, jurisdictional affairs, members, and administrative procedures of the Volunteer Probation Officers' Screening Commission are provided by Order of the Ministry of Justice.

第六条削除

Article 6Deleted

第七条保護司の任期は、二年とする。但し、再任を妨げない。

Article 7A hogoshi's (volunteer probation officer's) term of office is two years; provided, however, that this does not preclude them from being re-appointed.

第八条保護司は、その置かれた保護区の区域内において、職務を行うものとする。但し、地方更生保護委員会又は保護観察所の長から特に命ぜられたときは、この限りでない。

Article 8The hogoshi (volunteer probation officer) is to perform their duties within the probation district wherein they have been posted; provided, however, that this does not apply when that hogoshi (volunteer probation officer) is otherwise ordered by the regional parole board or the director of the probation office.

第八条の二保護司は、地方更生保護委員会又は保護観察所の長から指定を受けて当該地方更生保護委員会又は保護観察所の所掌に属する事務に従事するほか、保護観察所の長の承認を得た保護司会の計画の定めるところに従い、次に掲げる事務であつて当該保護観察所の所掌に属するものに従事するものとする。

Article 8-2Upon being designated by the regional parole board or the director of the probation office, a hogoshi (volunteer probation officer) is to perform the duties pertaining to the jurisdiction of the regional parole board or the probation office concerned, as well as performing the following duties pertaining to the jurisdiction of the relevant probation office, in accordance with the items prescribed in the plans of the Volunteer Probation Officers' Association for which the relevant director of the probation office has given their approval:

第九条保護司は、その使命を自覚し、常に人格識見の向上とその職務を行うために必要な知識及び技術の修得に努め、積極的態度をもつてその職務を遂行しなければならない。

Article 9(1)Hogoshi (volunteer probation officers) must be conscious of their mission, make efforts to develop a noteworthy character and broad vision and acquire the knowledge and techniques necessary for performance of their duties, while carrying out their duties with a positive attitude.

２保護司は、その職務を行うに当つて知り得た関係者の身上に関する秘密を尊重し、その名誉保持に努めなければならない。

(2)Hogoshi (volunteer probation officers) must respect the confidentiality of the relevant parties relating to the personal affairs which they have come to know in the course of their duties, and must strive to maintain the good name of their position.

第十条削除

Article 10Deleted

第十一条保護司には、給与を支給しない。

Article 11(1)No salary is paid to hogoshi (volunteer probation officers).

２保護司は、法務省令の定めるところにより、予算の範囲内において、その職務を行うために要する費用の全部又は一部の支給を受けることができる。

(2)Hogoshi (volunteer probation officers) may, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Justice and within the limits of the budget, be reimbursed for the expenses needed for the performance of their duties, in whole or in part.

第十二条法務大臣は、保護司が第四条各号の一に該当するに至つたときは、これを解嘱しなければならない。

Article 12(1)When a hogoshi (volunteer probation officer) has come to fall under any one of the items of Article 4, the Minister of Justice must discharge the hogoshi (volunteer probation officer).

２法務大臣は、保護司が次の各号のいずれかに該当するに至つたときは、保護観察所の長の申出に基づいて、これを解嘱することができる。

(2)When a hogoshi (volunteer probation officer) has come to fall under any of the following items, the Minister of Justice may discharge the hogoshi (volunteer probation officer) at the request of the director of the probation office:

３保護観察所の長は、前項の申出をしようとするときは、あらかじめ、保護司選考会の意見を聴かなければならない。

(3)The director of the probation office must, when making the request pursuant to the provisions set force in the preceding paragraph, hear the opinions of the Volunteer Probation Officers' Screening Commission in advance.

４第一項又は第二項の規定による解嘱は、当該保護司に解嘱の理由が説明され、かつ、弁明の機会が与えられた後でなければ行うことができない。ただし、第四条第一号又は第二号に該当するに至つたことを理由とする解嘱については、この限りでない。

(4)A discharge as set forth in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) may not be carried out unless the hogoshi (volunteer probation officer) concerned has been informed of the reason and has been given an opportunity for explanation; provided, however, that this does not apply when the discharge is because they have come to fall under item (i) or (ii) of Article 4.

第十三条保護司は、その置かれた保護区ごとに保護司会を組織する。

Article 13(1)The hogoshi (volunteer probation officers) establish a Volunteer Probation Officers' Association for each probation district.

２保護司会は、次に掲げる事務を行うことを任務とする。

(2)The duties of the Volunteer Probation Officers' Association are to conduct the following affairs:

第十四条保護司会は、都道府県ごとに保護司会連合会を組織する。ただし、北海道にあつては、法務大臣が定める区域ごとに組織するものとする。

Article 14(1)The Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations establish a Federation of Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations for every prefecture; provided, however, that in Hokkaido, a Federation of the Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations is established for every region as designated by the Minister of Justice.

２保護司会連合会は、次に掲げる事務を行うことを任務とする。

(2)The duties of the Federation of Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations are to conduct the following affairs:

第十五条この法律に定めるもののほか、保護司会及び保護司会連合会に関し必要な事項は、法務省令で定める。

Article 15In addition to the matters provided in this Act, any other necessary matters concerning the Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations and the Federations of Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations are provided by Order of the Ministry of Justice.

第十六条法務大臣は、職務上特に功労がある保護司、保護司会及び保護司会連合会を表彰し、その業績を一般に周知させることに意を用いなければならない。

Article 16The Minister of Justice must give consideration to commending hogoshi (volunteer probation officers), Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations, and Federations of Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations, which have rendered distinguished service in the course of their duties, and giving publicity to the service.

第十七条地方公共団体は、保護司、保護司会及び保護司会連合会の活動が、犯罪をした者及び非行のある少年の改善更生を助けるとともに犯罪を予防し、地域社会の安全及び住民福祉の向上に寄与するものであることにかんがみ、その地域において行われる保護司、保護司会及び保護司会連合会の活動に対して必要な協力をすることができる。

Article 17The local government may, in light of the fact that the activities of the hogoshi (volunteer probation officers), Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations and Federations of Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations assist persons who have committed crimes and juvenile delinquents to improve and rehabilitate themselves, prevent crimes, and contribute to the safety of the community and improvement of the welfare of its residents, extend cooperation to the activities of the hogoshi (volunteer probation officers), Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations and Federations of Volunteer Probation Officers' Associations as necessary.

第十八条この法律の実施のための手続、その他その執行について必要な細則は、法務省令で定める。

Article 18The procedures for enforcing this Act and other detailed regulations necessary for its implementation are provided by Order of the Ministry of Justice.