Museum of Justice 還是 Justice Museum Introduction
The only preserved Pennsylvania-style prison architecture in the world—Chiayi Old Prison, completed and opened in 1922 (the 11th year of the Taisho era), was originally named the Chiayi Branch of Tainan Prison. In 1924, it was renamed the Chiayi Branch of Tainan Prison. After 1945, it was referred to as the First Division of the Third Prison, and in 1947, it was renamed Taiwan Chiayi Prison. In March 1994, it moved to Luchao Township, and the old prison was restructured as the Chiayi Branch of Chiayi Prison. The interior facilities are well-preserved, and the complete hardware and equipment provide a living educational resource for legal education and the evolution of human rights, as well as a showcase for the development of prison administration. The architectural forms, spatial designs, and construction techniques of the Chiayi Branch are distinctive, with a fan-shaped radial central control system that aligns with the ideal prototype for inmate confinement and control. The workshops and dormitories have high ceilings, and the different styles of ventilation windows meet the needs for ventilation, lighting, moisture prevention, and aerial patrols. The materials for doors, windows, and wall panels are made from cypress wood from Alishan, with special requirements for strength, durability, and escape prevention, making it valuable for preservation.
