Inmates' Ingenuity vs. Officers' Vigilance

 

Prison Grounds

When we were in Chiayi (嘉義), Taiwan, last week, my family visited the Chiayi Old Prison. Established in 1919, the prison was originally called Chiayi Branch of Tainan Penitentiary. In 1945, in stride with the expulsion of the Japanese colonial government following WWII, the jail was relabeled Chiayi Prison. From 1924, Chiayi Branch of Tainan Penitentiary was known as the First Branch of the Third Prison. Thinking of the Japanese, the penitentiary system like so much of Taiwan's infrastructure was established by them. Prior to 1895, when the Japanese gained Taiwan from China, crimes were punished by torture (including crucifixion), corporal punishment, body parts' removal and what have you. Money it seems was not squandered on locking up criminals. I took this picture of a picture while I was at Chiayi Old Prison (below). 

Chiayi Prison was set up in a radial style typical of the 19 Century. With an observation tower in the middle, the buildings fan out like the spokes of a wheel. There is an exhibit dedicated to the constant maneuvering between the guards and inmates. The information placard called it: "Inmates' Ingenuity vs. Officers' Vigilance. The inmates wanted things they were banned from having. Contraband included drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and gambling devices. Drugs were smuggled in while alcohol was often brewed on the inside. Cigarette smoking was prohibited for all inmates in Taiwan until July 28,1993, when the Executive Yuan (Taiwan's congress) passed an amendment to Article 47 of the Prison Act. When the rules were changed, inmates were allowed to smoke after meals in designated areas. Rewards are still offered today for those who do not smoke or quit: better visitation rights and/or good grades for behavior records, which much figure in parole hearings. Prisoners cannot booze or chew betel nut. Porn is disallowed. 

I think the grounds at Chiayi Prison are nice. I took a picture (above top). Cell conditions were miserable.

Inmates were included in Taiwan's national health system (NHI) January, 1, 2013. According to the information provided, the tab is "borne by the state."