Factors that foster individual willingness to serve in rehabilitation-oriented penal sector volunteer roles in Japan

With the growing importance of penal sector volunteers, it is necessary to provide effective information for potential volunteers and clarify the factors related to the willingness to serve. This study aimed to determine factors influencing the willingness of penal sector volunteers in Japan. We administered an online survey of 800 people to determine their willingness to volunteer in ten different types of rehabilitation activities, both formal and informal, targeted at criminal justice-involved people of all ages. A multiple-regression analysis showed the importance of examining the psychological and demographic factors to explain volunteer willingness. Structural equation modelling revealed that the most important factor is the perception of personal benefits offered by penal sector volunteers; therefore, providing information about the personal benefits of volunteering may improve volunteer willingness. This study identifies important implications regarding volunteer psychological factors which can be used to design interventions to change public attitudes.