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Taiwan, known for its bustling cities and stunning landscapes, also holds the title for one of the safest countries in the world. But this peaceful exterior belies a surprising fact: Taiwan has a higher incarceration rate than many larger nations, including Germany and Spain. The reason? Drugs.
The influx of illegal substances through Taiwan's ports has led to a surge in drug-related crime, and at the heart of the justice system stands Taichung Men's Prison, the largest and toughest correctional facility in the country. This high-security bunker houses nearly 5,000 inmates, many of whom are serving lengthy sentences for serious offenses.
Life Behind the Walls: Monotony and Surveillance
Imagine a life dictated by strict routines, constant surveillance, and the ever-present knowledge that freedom is a distant dream. This is the reality for inmates at Taichung Men's Prison. Their days are carefully structured, beginning with a simple breakfast of soy milk and rice rolls, eaten on the floor of their cramped cells.
Privacy is a luxury these men have left behind. Cells are small, often housing eight inmates in less than 20 square meters. With only two square meters of personal space per inmate, even basic comforts like beds are reserved for those at the top of the cell hierarchy.
Adding to the sense of confinement, every corner of the prison is under constant video surveillance. Cameras track the inmates' every move, leaving no room for solitude or escape from the watchful eyes of the guards.
Work and Rehabilitation: A Path to Redemption?
Despite the harsh conditions, Taichung Men's Prison operates on a system of progressive correctional treatment. Inmates are divided into four levels, with privileges and potential sentence reductions tied to their behavior.
Work is compulsory, offering a semblance of structure and purpose within the prison walls. From factories producing bags and cables to the bustling prison kitchen, inmates earn a meager wage while learning valuable skills.
For some, like Li, a former nightclub owner serving time for drug dealing, the art program provides a much-needed creative outlet. Spending his days in the art workshop, Li finds solace in painting, momentarily escaping the harsh realities of prison life.
Security: A Constant Priority
The specter of the 2015 hostage situation at another Taiwanese prison, which tragically claimed six lives, looms large over Taichung Men's Prison. Guards are constantly on alert, their vigilance fueled by the knowledge that even the most mundane objects can be transformed into weapons.
Regular cell searches are a fact of life, with guards meticulously combing through every nook and cranny for contraband. From sharpened toothbrushes to seemingly harmless items like aluminum foil, anything that could potentially compromise security is confiscated.
Hope Endures: Dreams of a Life Beyond Bars
Despite the challenges and restrictions, hope flickers within the walls of Taichung Men's Prison. Inmates cling to the possibility of early release, fueled by good behavior and the desire to rebuild their lives.
Li dreams of opening his own art studio, showcasing the talent he has nurtured during his years behind bars. Hang, a former debt collector for the mafia, aspires to open a bakery, using the skills he honed as the prison bakery foreman.
Their stories, while born out of difficult circumstances, offer a glimpse into the human spirit's capacity for resilience and transformation. Even within the confines of Taiwan's toughest prison, the desire for redemption and a second chance at life endures.
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