Fukushima inmates receive compensation

FUKUSHIMA, Japan, July 5 (UPI) -- More than 80 inmates at Japanese prisons affected by the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster have received compensation of about $1,000 each, officials said.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. is paying compensation to those who lived in the 23 municipalities of Fukushima Prefecture when the earthquake and tsunami caused a meltdown at the plant March 11, 2011.

Jiji Press reported some prisoners who learned about the compensation from newspapers and other sources had asked TEPCO to send them documents and applied for compensation by mail.

TEPCO had tried to send inmates notices about the compensation but prison officials refused to give their names and other information, citing privacy concerns, Jiji Press said.

When the disaster occurred, about 1,700 inmates were at the Fukushima prison and its branches, the prison said.

A TEPCO officials said prisoners had "suffered psychological damage."