The ROC (Taiwan) Legislative Yuan passed the final reading of amendments to the Prison Act Dec. 17 in Taipei City, marking a milestone in the country’s ongoing judicial reform.
According to the Ministry of Justice, a dedicated team has been working on revising the act since 2008 to further human rights protections in the wake of societal changes since the law was introduced in 1946.
Taking their cue from international conventions and constitutional interpretations, the amendments also incorporate resolutions of the National Conference on Judicial Reform that took place between November 2016 and August 2017, the ministry added.
A total of 62 new articles are included in the amendments, covering issues such as additional medical resources; appropriate arrangements for inmates with mental or physical disabilities; establishment of an independent external inspection team to promote transparency of prison management; and the use of instruments of restraint and protective cells.
The new law allows inmates to appeal parole decisions, imposes stricter rules on the inspection of mail and provides better judicial remedies for disputes with correctional institutions, the MOJ said.
In addition to safeguarding the rights of inmates, the amendments will ensure correctional institutes better serve the purpose of helping reform inmates while preparing them for reintegration into society, the ministry said. (SFC-E)
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