In 2025, Taiwan will officially enter a super-aged society. As a microcosm of society, correctional institutions inevitably face a steadily increasing proportion of elderly inmates. To strengthen staff capabilities in responding to the challenges of an aging population, and to uphold the spirit of holistic care and workplace well-being, Chiayi Prison, Agency of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, held a professional lecture on elderly inmate management on May 20, 2025. The lecture, titled “Rewriting the Second Half of Life – The Key to Successful Aging”, was delivered by Distinguished Professor Dr. Meng-Ching Hu from the Graduate Institute of Gerontology Education at National Chung Cheng University. Dr. Hu guided participants in exploring the wisdom and practical approaches to successful aging.

The course focused on the core values of successful aging in the context of professional knowledge for managing elderly inmates. These values include “happiness,” “fulfilling dreams,” “positivity,” “disease prevention,” and “lifelong learning.” In response to the common physical and psychological challenges faced by modern workers in a super-aged society, the lecture offered in-depth insights on how to balance work and life, helping staff build a correct understanding of aging and challenge stereotypes associated with the latter stages of life.

Dr. Hu emphasized that maintaining a regular routine, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise are the three pillars for preventing aging-related illnesses. He also reminded staff of the importance of stress and emotional management in achieving true physical and mental wellness. Concluding the session with the theme of “learning,” Dr. Hu underscored that “lifelong learning” not only slows cognitive decline but also opens up new perspectives in life. Attendees gained a renewed understanding of successful aging and reflected on how to better care for themselves alongside their professional responsibilities.

In her remarks, Secretary Shan-Chen Huang of Chiayi Prison expressed that the institution will continue to organize practical and heartwarming lectures and activities in the future. These efforts aim to strengthen staff psychological resilience and health literacy, embodying the core correctional value that in order to care for others, one must first learn to care for oneself.