The major policy objective of the criminal justice system is the maintenance of law and order and public confidence and the reduction of crime through deterrence, containment, and rehabilitation. A major concern is with protecting society from the dangerous and violent offender and developing effective prevention and treatment services, particularly for juveniles. Forms of noncustodial treatments of offenders include supervised probation, suspended sentences, fines, conditional or absolute discharge, compensation, and corporal punishment (whipping or caning). Custodial treatment is common, and is based on the belief that deterrence can be achieved through severe punitive justice. The mandatory penalty for murder or armed robbery is imprisonment for life or the death penalty. The prison system is unified, and policy and administration are the direct responsibilities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. While there are no provisions for parole, prisoners serving determinate sentences are eligible for remissions of the original sentence. Prison industries provide inmates with training and skills needed to keep jobs after discharge. Voluntary education services are available, as are opportunities for physical exercise and medical treatment. Constraints on rehabilitative efforts in the prison system include severe overcrowding, insufficient financial support, and a lack of sufficient rehabilitative programs. As a consequence of these constraints, recidivism is high. Tabular data, footnotes, and references are supplied.