Sandwich Man Date:Close coverage of the work of prison guards at Chiba Prison "Anta Watchman" variety show visits prisoner housing area for the first time

The popular TV Asahi variety show "Anta Watchman" (Tuesdays at 11:45pm, except in some areas) is hosted by the comedy duo "Untouchable" and "Sandwichman." On January 7th, Mikio Date interviewed a prison guard in a segment called "Sand Curious Man: The Amazing You in the City," which delves into jobs that interest him. He gives a close look at the daily life of prisoners and what goes on inside their minds.

Date visited Chiba Prison (Wakaba Ward, Chiba City), which houses more than 1,000 long-term prisoners with sentences of 10 years or more. For the first time in a variety show, he let cameras into the prisoners' quarters and also visited a factory where prison work is carried out.

Takeda Koichiro, general affairs director at Chiba Prison, who agreed to be interviewed, explained the background to the event, saying, "As 'custodial sentences' will be implemented from June (this year), we hope this will be a good opportunity for people to learn about the work of prison officers."

The new punishment "custodial sentence", which is the first since the Penal Code was enacted in 1907, will no longer require prisoners to do prison labor, but will instead focus on educational programs and rehabilitation with an emphasis on "recovery". After hearing the thoughts of General Affairs Director Takeda, Date said, "I definitely want to make this a good opportunity!"

While touring the factory where many elderly prisoners do light work, Date-san's eyes were caught by "a certain corner". When Date-san, who was curious, asked what it was, General Affairs Director Takeuchi replied, "It's a sacred place for prison officers." What does "a sacred place for prison officers" mean?

Later, when he went to the prisoners' living quarters, he noticed that emergency bells were installed everywhere. Date learned how often the emergency bells would ring and what kinds of emergencies could occur.

The in-depth coverage will be broadcast for two consecutive weeks, with the second part airing on the 14th from 11:51 pm to 12:21 am. In addition to the prisoners' rooms and bathrooms, where they spend most of their time outside of prison work, the program will also cover the prison staff cafeteria, where meals prepared by prisoners are served.