Eight years ago, Tang Chen-huan kidnapped the children of his friends and held them up to ransom of US$8,300. He was eventually caught, and since his original death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, he has been detained in Taichung Prison. Over the years, Tang has repented, written many books to confess his sins, and urged others to pursue good deeds. Two of his works, "Bridge" and "High Cliff" have won prizes in armed forces literary contests. The following is his story from "the underground."

Taichung Prison, surrounded by high white walls, is located at Hsinsheng Street in Taichung in central Taiwan. One of 15 prisons in the Republic of China administered by the Ministry of Justice, it is a high security facility for convicts with sentences of more than 10 years.

Warden Hu at the Taichung prison stresses that all prisons in Taiwan are administered on the principles of humanitarianism rather than punishment and revenge, so that inmates will be able to start new lives once they are released.

All measures are fair and based on scientific studies. As a result of direct and indirect investigations, and aptitude and psychological tests, inmates are given the most appropriate treatment. Those having sentences of more than one year are categorized into four grades. All inmates start at the fourth grade, but can gradually work themselves up to the second grade, by which time they are due for parole.

There are five departments in Taichung Prison--education, operations, security, sanitation and general affairs. The inmates receive reformative education through radio, TV, magazines, and by attending recreational and religious activities and classroom lessons. In addition, there are well-furnished libraries, basketball courts and recreation centers. Within the prison compound are a ranch and about 10 factories for printing, electronics, carpentry, ironworking, rattan furniture manufacturing and sewing to provide inmates with professional training.

Prison guards are in charge of taking care of the inmates' daily activities and their communications with the outside world. They are required to respect the inmates' personalities while helping them solve all kinds of problems. Consequently, outbreaks of lawlessness are rare. Sanitation and inmates' health are also well taken care of. A small hospital with doctors on hand to treat all kinds of diseases has been installed. The general affairs department handles domicile records, parole, out-of-prison medication, financial administration, and food and living facilities for the inmates.

At present, there are 1,800 inmates from all levels of society in Taichung prison. After reformatory training and time for reflection, most inmates emerge as better men. Tang Chen-huan is an example.

Tang, a native of Hunan province, is tall, high-spirited, and looks younger than his 52 years of age. After he graduated from university, he was a teacher of physics and chemistry at Matou Junior High School in Tainan County and ran an appliance store as a sideline with the help of his wife. It was in 1972 that Tang committed his kidnapping crime.

When the original sentence was passed, Tang first experienced the imminent threat of death. He behaved like a madman, and could not eat or sleep. Tears, nightmares and unbearable feelings of remorse were his only companions. There was no escaping the ghosts of vengeance which haunted him day and night. Before his appeal was heard, he found an outlet for his feelings in the pen. His first prose effort, entitled "The outcry of a condemned man--A letter to my son Li-jen" was carried in the Chung Hwa Jih Pao (China Daily News) of January 18, 1973. In the article, Tang expressed sincere repentance, and won the sympathy of his readers.

His next article, entitled "The confessions of a condemned man--Endless remorse and tears," described how he had come to attain tranquillity through long meditation. He said: "Society in Taiwan is open and free. Though I am condemned to die, there is no limitation on me expressing my views freely in the newspapers. Now I realize that such openness and liberty in society can only be maintained when people abide by the law and respect their own conduct. We must not go to extremes or take short cuts to reach success. Now, I have full confidence in the words of Premier Chiang (now President Chiang Ching-kuo) 'The law is fair and just.' I am waiting for the law to give me the final judgment. As my last act, I would like to advise my readers never to make the same mistakes."

On February 16, 1974, Tang published an article entitled "My life in Prison." He said: "In a sudden fit of madness, I have buried my reputation, lost a happy family, and may lose my own life. I can never atone for the harm I have done to my wife and son, neither can I restore my reputation among my friends and students. My students practicing law knew that I could not afford an attorney, so they offered their services voluntarily or mailed me all the materials I needed to defend myself. I am so ashamed of myself that I am afraid even to thank them for their warm offerings. Living under the shadow of death, I aspire more than ever to live. I study English and Japanese in the morning, read literary masterpieces or write small articles in the day time; and read the Bible and pray at night."

At the beginning of 1975, Tang's sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. With a new sense of hope, Tang wrote even more diligently. Over the past seven years, he has published a total of 156 prose pieces and long and short novels. Among them, the "Bridge," written in 1978, based on the 10 major construction projects won third prize in the 14th session of the armed forces literary contest.

This novel describes how two warring villages separated by a river decided to end their feud after a bridge was constructed. It was only after the winners were announced that the Ministry of Defense, the sponsor of the contest, discovered that Tang was a convict and could not receive his award in Taipei. It was decided that the presentation ceremony would be held in Taichung Prison on November 3, 1978, and the event was a first both in literary and penal history.

Last year, Tang was honored with the same award for his 100,000-word novel "High Cliff." This described how retired servicemen constructed the internationally renowned cross-island highway after overcoming all kinds of difficulties, dangers and challenges.

To answer the congratulations from his readers, Tang wrote the article "Imprisonment is after all a blessing." He emphasized that prison is a good place to overcome human frailties. "You can learn to persevere, to control yourself, and to bear all the miseries you have brought upon yourself." Free from the disturbances of the outside world, Tang was able to concentrate on writing. He said: "Once I am free, I may not be able to write so many books, because I am not sure if I would be able to understand all the weaknesses of humanity without being confined. In fact, my present achievements would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of readers and scholars. I will work harder to make more progress in my career."

Tang admitted that he had never received any academic training in writing, and only discovered his potential through his imprisonment. He reads and studies by himself, and pays special attention to theme and the beginning and end of the articles he writes. His writings are usually marked by a suspenseful opening and a surprise ending, which makes them particularly entertaining and enlightening. Most of the subject matter of his novels is adapted from his own experience or from newspaper reports. As he is unable to conduct field research, he is forced to gather materials indirectly.

Under the prison system, Tang Chen-huan is now a second-grade convict, and will be set free on parole after serving another five years. He misses most his wife, even though he divorced her years ago to help her readjust, and his son. As people in Taiwan are ready to forgive and help a wrongdoer to start a new life, Tang is certain to receive a warm welcome from the public once he is released.

[Picture Caption]

Left: Tang Chen-huan concentrates on his writing in the Taichung Prison. Right: Adorned with fishponds, trees and flowers, Taichung Prison has a peaceful and serene environment.

Tang poses for a picture with warden Hu of the Taichung Prison. On the desk are two bronze statues he won for his writings.

Tang passes his time playing basketball or strumming a guitar.

Adorned with fishponds, trees and flowers, Taichung Prison has a peaceful and serene environment.

Tang poses for a picture with warden Hu of the Taichung Prison. On the desk are two bronze statues he won for his writings.

Tang passes his time playing basketball or strumming a guitar.

Tang passes his time playing basketball or strumming a guitar.