To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and strengthen family bonds, Chiayi Prison, Agency of Corrections, Ministry of Justice (hereinafter “Chiayi Prison”), held a series of family reunion activities for inmates prior to the holiday. On September 22, the “Mid-Autumn Festival Filial Piety Telephone Activity” was held first, with the support of Chunghwa Telecom Chiayi Branch, which set up 15 phone lines. A total of 908 inmates were able to convey their love and blessings to their families over the phone.

Following this, on September 24 and 25, Chiayi Prison organized four sessions of the “Mid-Autumn Festival Face-to-Face Family Reunion,” inviting family members into the prison to reunite with their loved ones and share the warmth of the season. During the gatherings, the inmate-formed Xinyue Choir and Short Hair Band performed popular songs such as Contentment and Missing Home, evoking heartfelt resonance among inmates and their families.

In consideration of elderly and mobility-impaired family members who rely on wheelchairs or walking aids, Warden Tsai Ching-Yu instructed the setup of a second venue closer to the entry point of the guarded area, allowing these families to more easily join their loved ones after registration.

The reunion sites were filled with touching and emotional moments. “Ah-De” (alias) embraced his long-unseen daughter while speaking affectionately with his wife about how much he missed them. “Hsiao-Yu” (alias), upon seeing his aging mother who made the effort to attend despite frailty, held her tightly and shed tears of guilt and gratitude. His wife and daughter by his side also expressed their hope that he would do well and return home soon.

Warden Tsai emphasized that the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes reunion and blessings. Such warm interactions are not only a concrete expression of family support but also an important driving force for inmates’ self-reflection and change. Chiayi Prison will continue to integrate social resources and promote measures that foster inmates’ positive growth, with the hope that, through the care and companionship of their families, inmates can rebuild their life direction and work hand in hand toward a hopeful future.