Museum of Criminal Justice Introduction
The only preserved Pennsylvania-style prison building in the world - Chiayi Old Prison. Chiayi Prison was completed and opened in 1922 (the 11th year of the Taisho era), initially named Tainan Prison Chiayi Branch. In 1924, it was renamed Tainan Penal Institution Chiayi Branch. After 1945, it was referred to as the Third Prison First Branch, and in 1947, it was renamed Taiwan Chiayi Prison. In March 1994, it was relocated to Luk Tsao Township, and the old prison was reorganized as Chiayi Prison Chiayi Branch. The internal facilities are well-preserved, and the complete hardware and items provide a living educational resource for legal education and the evolution of human rights, as well as a display of prison administration development and other diverse functions. The architectural form, spatial design, and structural methods of the Chiayi Branch are unique; its fan-shaped radial central control system aligns with the ideal prototype for inmate control. The workshops and dormitories have high ceilings and feature various types of air windows designed to meet the needs for ventilation, lighting, moisture prevention, and aerial patrols, while the doors, windows, and wall panels use cypress wood from Alishan, specifically required to be sturdy, durable, and escape-resistant, making it of significant preservation value.
