To mend family ties estranged by high walls, our prison has planned a series of touching activities on the eve of Mother's Day this year (year 115). In addition to traditional family bonding, this year we simultaneously held the "Pillow Talk: Reading for Love" event, allowing inmates to personally record picture book stories for their children, turning their longing into companionship whispering in their ears. Combined with the Jiuhua Mountain Dízàng Temple and the Chiayi Branch of the Taiwan After-Care Association, singers were invited to perform, rebuilding the family connection between inmates and their families through the transmission of songs and voices.

A Hug of Voice: "Pillow Talk" Makes Up for Absent Fatherly Love

Among this series of activities, "Pillow Talk" is particularly touching. Inmates use recording equipment to affectionately read selected picture books and record their reminders and longing for their children at the end. Our prison turns these audio files into exclusive QR codes, allowing children who have long lacked their father's companionship to hear their father's familiar voice before bed, feeling the unceasing care. An inmate participating in the recording choked up and said, "I have never told a story to my son before. I hope this recording can replace me and accompany him through the days I am not around."

Conveying Feelings with Music and Cards: Healing Singer Warms the Inside of High Walls

With the strong support of the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office, the Chiayi Branch of the Taiwan After-Care Association, and the Jiuhua Mountain Dízàng Temple, sunshine healing singer-songwriter Cheng Yi-Lin was specially invited to perform at the prison. She sang multiple touching and fitting songs on site, and the moving melodies brought tears to the eyes of many inmates. In addition, our prison held a Mother's Day gratitude card competition on the eve of Mother's Day, hoping to encourage inmates to express their deepest love and determination to turn over a new leaf to the mothers they hold dear in their hearts through delicate words and pictures.

From the Receiver to Hugs: Family Visiting Activities Hear the Longing and Touch the Warmth

To strengthen the power of family support, our prison also held telephone and face-to-face family visiting activities. Through the receiver, family members who usually find it difficult to travel from afar can also convey their care and longing; face-to-face visiting activities allow eligible inmates to embrace their family members again. The scene is moving and further strengthens their confidence in returning to society.

A stable family support system is the core strength of correctional institutions linking to the social safety net. Through the audio transmission of "Pillow Talk", the creation of gratitude cards, and a series of rich activities, it transforms into concrete warmth. This power of soft justice not only repairs broken family ties but also empowers inmates with the courage to return to society. On the road to reintegration, the companionship of family and the acceptance of society are never absent.