Outside Kaohsiung, in the southern part of Taiwan, in a rural, sleepy farming community, hidden amid rice paddies is a pleasant but imposing structure surrounded on all sides by a high wall. As one nears this building, one sees the words written above the main entrance: "Kaohsiung Prison" and "Jen Te (benevolence, morality) Preparatory School"!

As we enter, the clanging sounds of the massive iron gate boom behind us, seeming to reaffirm that freedom and happiness lie on the other side. However, upon closer examination of the premises, we find, beyond our expectations, that we are in a lovely park! The "cells" are one-story houses, separated by gaily colored, fragrant flowers--red roses, chrysanthemums, purple orchids. Believe it or not, this is Kaohsiung Prison, one of the nation's 21 penitentiaries, housing about 1800 inmates convicted of serious crimes and serving sentences of seven years to life.

The prison warden explains "In the past, and too often in the present, prisons serves to keep inmates separate from the rest of society. Harsh sentences and severe punishment are customary. In Taiwan, as elsewhere in the world, prisons have historically been dark, dank and dirty places, with poor food, unsanitary conditions, and inmates forced to do hard labor under stern, sometimes cruel supervision. Unable to bear these hardships and the regimen of everyday prison "life", many prisoners sicken and die. This is the old style of prison retribution."

However, results of modern research have repeatedly shown that there are complex psychological and social factors involved in a person's motivation to commit crimes. Cruel punishment usually serves to increase the prisoner's hatred and desire for revenge without really reforming him. When he eventually leaves prison, he's likely to be even more of a menace to society, having learned more sophisticated and efficient tricks of the trade in "school". Kaohsiung Prison tries a more compassionate approach. When an inmate enters the prison, direct and indirect psychological testing methods are utilized to determine his personality-makeup and beliefs. After the battery of tests is completed, a step-by-step approach is used, during his period of incarceration, to inculcate society's norms and values. He attends classes in various academic subjects; upon graduation from the highest class, he is eligible for early parole. The warden emphasizes that by paying special attention to an inmate's individual needs--educational, vocational, moral, psychological, etc., prisoners can eventually be helped to become more useful members of society. After a prisoner is released, suitable work is found for him on the basis of his skills, interests, and physical condition. The skills the inmates learn, like weaving, carpentry, furniture and plastics, and electronics in the prison labs and shops, are easily applicable in the outside world. Upon parole, the free man receives a certificate, invaluable in locating a job, issued by the government attesting to his skills.

Remedial classes are taught on levels from the sixth to tenth grades. Teachers are hired from outside the prison. The students are both youthful and middle-aged offenders, with different interests, personalities, and needs. Most students are diligent, and make good use of materials placed at their disposal. Sometimes they ask friends to mail them reference books to aid them in their studies. The teachers encourage them to submit essays to magazines. Students who prove themselves, are eligible to receive scholarships; those at hard labor may also receive partial monetary compensation.

Many of the prisoners come from broken homes with little formal education. Often they have robbed someone to attain the material goods they could never attain by socially acceptable means. According to one of the prison teachers, "Most of those who commit crimes are not stupid. When in prison, a regulated life schedule permits them to focus their entire attention on their lessons. The best ones, once they leave prison, even have the possibility that they'll get into a fine college."

The prison dormitories, factories, and classrooms are located together. Large rooms house ten or more inmates, smaller ones, four; there are also double rooms. And during the day, the rooms are swept clean. Each room has a ceiling-fan, and bathing and lavatory facilities. Nearby are an infirmary, a dentist, X-ray facilities, operating and recovery rooms.

Daily activities are closely regulated. After reveille and flag raising ceremonies, some inmates proceed to their classrooms. Others must do labor. After lunch, there is television. In the afternoons, all inmates must do labor. Afterwards, there are group calisthenics. The evenings are free time.

Once a week, there are religious services led by men of the cloth--Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus or Moslems, depending on the inmates' beliefs.

Prisoners are not shackled in handcuffs or leg-irons, and guards do not carry weapons. This is cited as one reason for the absence of prison-breaks or attempted assaults against guards. The prison has a relaxed atmosphere which is also strictly-controlled, well-regulated and -disciplined, and goal-oriented. The prisoners are always kept busy. Respect and kindness toward fellow-inmates and guards are also demanded under this benevolent system of reform.

Nonetheless, punishments are meted out. Depending upon the infraction, a prisoner's visiting rights can be suspended, he can be placed in solitary confinement or sent to another and more unpleasant prison. But there is absolutely no corporal punishment. Improper behavior on the part of guards is not tolerated. Closed-circuit television in the warden's office monitors activities in and outside the prison compound.

Outside the prison is a pretty building which is used for conjugal visits between spouses. This is a relatively new concept in prison reform. It's really like a small hotel. The room has a large color TV, a spring-mattress bed and a large electric fan. All bathroom facilities are located inside the suite. Of course, not every married prisoner is privileged to use this suite. To qualify, he must accumulate a certain number of "good behavior points" over a specified period of time, and only those who have graduated to the highest level of education and are about to be paroled can use the house. The purpose of providing such accommodations is to help the inmates adjust gradually, but surely, to the world they are about to face outside. According to regulations, an inmate who qualifies for the conjugal housing arrangements can live there one week every month. Even though the inmate and his spouse are locked in the suite beginning from 5PM, it is still their special world, offering privacy and solitude. However, prisoners must report at the prison school promptly when due.

As we left the Kaohsiung Prison, we again passed through the big iron gate, but this time it didn't seem as ominous as when we first arrived. Looking back to the guards waving good-bye to us, we glanced at the sign bearing the words "Jen Te Preparatory School", and realized that a major prison reform was being tested behind that big, iron gate.

[Picture Caption]

1. All of the inmates at Kaohsiung Prison are repeaters, serving sentences of seven years to life. Because of the excellent facilities and caring personnel there, Kaohsiung prison has earned the reputation of being a model prison. Shown in the picture is the guard tower and facade of one of the buildings. 2. Early morning exercises. 3. Located in one corner of the penitentiary is the infirmary.

1-3. Metal, woodcarving, and sewing shops. 4. Located in the prison warden's office, these closed-circuit TV's provide a round-the-clock view of the entire prison and its surroundings.

1. Many of these reference books have been sent by friends. The inmates hope to continue with their studies upon release from prison. 2. English language laboratory. 3. The prison library stocks various kinds of books, magazines, and newspapers.

1. Every week the inmates are permitted to stage a "Variety Hour" in which they, themselves, perform. 2. Breakfast at the prison. 3. An intraprison basketball tournament. 4. Located outside the prison, this building is used for conjugal visits between inmates and spouses. 5. A typical room for use by inmates and their spouses. 6. Relatives and friends may go directly to the prison to visit inmates, but they must talk to each other over the phone.

Early morning exercises.

Located in one corner of the penitentiary is the infirmary.

Metal, woodcarving, and sewing shops.

Metal, woodcarving, and sewing shops.

Metal, woodcarving, and sewing shops.

Metal, woodcarving, and sewing shops.

Many of these reference books have been sent by friends. The inmates hope to continue with their studies upon release from prison.

English language laboratory.

The prison library stocks various kinds of books, magazines, and newspapers.

Every week the inmates are permitted to stage a "Variety Hour" in which they, themselves, perform.

Breakfast at the prison.

An intraprison basketball tournament.

Located outside the prison, this building is used for conjugal visits between inmates and spouses.

A typical room for use by inmates and their spouses.

Relatives and friends may go directly to the prison to visit inmates, but they must talk to each other over the phone.