Travel Date: 2022/02/27
We went to Huwei (parents-in-law home yesterday and accidentally left our laptop charger behind. Since my husband has a business trip coming up, we won't have a chance to retrieve it for several days. Fortunately, my parents-in-law agreed to meet us today in Chiayi, which is conveniently located between Yunlin and Tainan. This gives me the opportunity to finally visit Chiayi City, which my husband has always found boring and never wanted to visit before.
I've been wanting to visit this place for a long time, but we rarely find ourselves in Chiayi City. This time, I have the chance to explore the Old Prison, the nearby Hinoki Village, and the Alishan Railway Garage. The East District of Chiayi City is rich in Japanese history!
Chiayi Old Prison (嘉義舊監獄)
The Chiayi Old Prison is open for free from Tuesday to Sunday during the following hours: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Guided tours are available every hour (every half hour on weekends). There is also a small parking lot in front of the building.
Chiayi Old Prison is the only fully preserved prison building from the Japanese occupation era in Taiwan. Construction of the prison began in 1919, completed in March 1920, and opened in 1922. However, it suffered significant damage from earthquakes in 1927, 1930, and 1931. During the prison's repair project, the outer walls were extended in the north and south, and the damaged gate was rebuilt in a modern architectural style.
After the Second World War, the Nationalist Government took over the Chiayi Branch and renamed it "Taiwan Chiayi Prison" on April 1, 1947.
In the 1990s, due to the deteriorating condition of the old prison, which could no longer meet the modern standards for detention and executions, Chiayi Prison was relocated to Lucao Township in March 1994. Since 1996, Chiayi City officials have been calling for the demolition of the old prison as part of urban renewal efforts. However, the prison was designated as a municipal monument by the Chiayi City Government.
On May 26, 2005, Chiayi Old Prison was declared a national monument. A restoration project, lasting 600 days, began on December 28, 2009, and was completed in September 2011. The building now serves as the "Prison Administration Museum." Additionally, it was ranked 59th among the 100 scenic spots of historical buildings in 2001.
On January 26, 2021, the old Chiayi Prison, along with the historic building Chiayi No. 2 Judicial New Village, the old Chiayi Prison's martial arts field, and the dormitory group for prison personnel, were registered as a cultural asset settlement complex called "Chiayi Old Prison and Dormitory Group."
The Chiayi Old Prison covers an area of approximately 3.66 hectares. Its distinctive feature is a fan-shaped platform on the central axis, with prison cells radiating out like palm leaves. This design allows for effective monitoring of the inmates. The administrative area of the old prison is about 402.37 square meters and has undergone various renovations and changes in spatial functions. Different offices, such as the warden's room, conference room, secretary room, and personnel room, are located in different areas of the prison.
Among the 28 existing buildings in the Chiayi Old Prison, there are various structural types, including wood, brick and wood reinforced brick, and reinforced concrete. The entrance to the prison features a large stone porch. Upon entering, there is a vestibule, followed by the administrative building and then the central platform, which includes a shrine. The male dormitory, with air patrols above, is mainly used for repairing the dormitory passage, conducting security inspections, and monitoring the inmates' activities. The reception room for male inmates is located on the left and rear of the central platform, while the reception room for female prisoners is situated on the right side of the Women's Center gate.
See also: Hinoki Village
See also: Alishan Railway Garage
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