“We can confirm that four of the prisoners shot themselves at 5:10 a.m., with the other two discharging weapons 20 minutes later to ensure the men were dead,” Deputy Minister of Justice Chen Ming-tang said. “The pair then turned their guns on themselves.”
According to the Ministry of Justice, the incident started around 4 p.m. the day before when the prisoners stormed the institution’s armory and seized four rifles, six handguns and 200 rounds of ammunition. They also took a number of guards hostage, later exchanging them for the head guard and warden.
Led by Cheng Li-teh, who was serving 28 1/2 years for homicide, the group comprised Chin Chu-sheng, Chin I-ming, Huang Hsien-sheng, Huang Tzu-yen and Wei Liang-ying, all serving 25 years to life for narcotics and robbery convictions.
At 11 p.m., MOJ Agency of Corrections Director Wu Sen-chang entered the prison and opened negotiations with the group. He emerged with a statement containing complaints of near-nonexistent possibility of parole and discontent with the recent release on medical bail of former President Chen Shui-bian. The issue of insufficient payment for work performed in the facility was also mentioned.
Relatives of the inmates were then called in to assist with negotiations at the request of the group.
Around 3 a.m., the head guard was released after which the group blasted a media drone out of the sky. The warden walked free unharmed after the prisoners killed themselves.
President Ma Ying-jeou extended gratitude to the guards and police for their admirable performance during the standoff. He also expressed regret over the actions of the prisoners.
“We cannot condone the taking of hostages to air grievances or make a point,” he said. “An official investigation report will be delivered in the next day or so, with any proposed reforms reviewed and implemented within a week.” (YHC-JSM)
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