In order to remove the mysterious images of prisons, we like to open our prison to inmates’ families, institutions and schools. Thus they could change their stereotypic ideas about prisons and see the results of our prison’s reforms.

(a) Zhengde School EducationIn addition to our own inmates, we also select inmates from other prisons to come to our school. It is an opportunity for those inmates who dropped out of schools to enrich themselves on learning. We provide inmates with educational programmes and channels to enter a university. Some of our teachers are from public schools like Hualien Senior High School or Guaofong Junior High School. Some of them are qualified teachers who recently retired from schools. (b) Study GroupsA study group is established in every educational block. We invite experienced or enthusiastic social workers to undertake reading with our inmates. Every educational block is equipped with a small library and a container for changing books. We regularly buy best sellers, newspapers, magazines etc. We set a reading environment for our inmates so that they can develop reading habits and good choices of books. Through reading, our inmates can enrich their spiritual lives so as to change their temper and temperament. (c) Open University EducationIn February of 2000, we established Nanhua Branch of Hualien Learning Center of National Open University. Since then, we have offered educational programmes of the Open University. (d) All Types of Basic and Advanced Classes 1. Reading Class  Based on the educational levels of our inmates, we employ teachers to teach our inmates suitably. In this class, they learn how to read. Our teachers will give regular tests to monitor their learning progresses.2. Writing Class  Based on our inmates’ interests, we get experts to teach the writing class. Inmates can develop their writing skills. Thus they could be more meditative to reform their minds and thoughts; further, their negative temperaments can be changed.3. Arts and Calligraphy Class  We employ qualified teachers to teach talented inmates who like and have skills of painting, arts, calligraphy etc. They could advance their skills and at the same time their characters could be possibly better shaped by the artistic activities. (e) Law Education and PromotionWe invite experts, scholars, or professionally equipped educational volunteers to teach our inmates about Criminal Codes, Consumer Protection Laws and Criminal Victims Protection Laws and other legal common senses. (f) Night Broadcasting EducationWe manage social resources and cooperate with radio stations to produce educational programmes for our inmates. We broadcast night-time radio programmes twice a week. Through the public broadcasting in the prison, we broadcast these programmes for educational and entertaining purposes. Simultaneously we share inmates’ stories. We hope this can stimulate inmates to regret what they did and to determine to make a change for their future lives in society.

(a) Individual EducationWe communicate with our inmates face to face so that we can really understand their personalities, family backgrounds, and life experiences. Furthermore, we can offer proper solutions to problems of their lives in the prison. We observe constantly those inmates who are elderly, sickly, just lost a family member, or who have special problems. We would give special education and care. If necessary, we give them psychological treatment and assistance. (b) Collective EducationWe invite social-work experts to give speeches. Or we will ask educational volunteers to give collective lectures to our inmates either in every workshop or classroom. Therefore, the inmates could be inspired to regain conscience and cultivate virtues. Later on, they could have a new life on their own. (c) Classified EducationAccording to the crimes, we classify our inmates and provide suitable education. At the same time, we supply abundant sources to help our inmates to rebuild their confidence during the process of education. (d) Religious EducationAccording to the religions of our inmates, we arrange different religious groups to come to visit our prison every week. They can preach to our inmates. In addition, we also have priests, monks etc. who stay in our prison periodically. They can at any time give individual preaching to try to purify inmates’ souls. Thus those inmates who believe in certain religions can have comfort in their minds. They can become more reflective and active in changing themselves.  

(a) Cultural and Leisure ActivitiesWe arrange ball games and arts and culture competitions at least once a season. Every half a year, we hold extended cultural and leisure activities (group competitions) so as to release inmates in physical and mental aspects. (b) Family Meeting and Celebrating Activities We hold meetings and celebrations in our prison for inmates and their families and inmates every Chinese New Year, Mother’s Day and Full Moon Festival in order to ease inmates’ homesick feelings. (c) Holding Book FairsWe hope our inmates can develop the habit of reading. Every year we provide two large-scale book fairs so that inmates can buy and read more good books.