A prison warden hopes the classes will encourage more inmates to obtain a college degree after serving their time.
The News Lens
Date: 2016/08/24
By: Olivia Yang
For the first time in Taiwan’s history, prisoners will soon have the chance to receive a higher
Photo Credit: Corbis/達志影像
education from university professors.
Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU) in Greater Tainan has reached an agreement with Tainan Prison to offer Chinese, English and other liberal arts classes for people serving time at the institution.
The prison holds more than 3,000 inmates. Warden Chen Chin-feng (陳進豐) says about 800 inmates have high school diplomas, and a survey conducted by the CJCU shows that almost 300 desire to further their studies.
Starting next month, credit classes will be offered. If the program is successful, Bachelor’s degree programs will follow. Course credits obtained in prison can be transferred to any college the prisoners enroll in the future. Inmates will be charged NT$400 (US$13) per credit. [FULL STORY]