Historic prison sets to become museum / 國定古蹟嘉義舊監獄 轉型獄政博物館　　　　　　　　　　

The Chiayi's Old Prison was built during the Japanese era. It was designated a historic building and was set to be converted into a prison museum, scheduled to open in 2014. However, due to a lack of staff and the fact that some parts of the building require thorough renovation, the museum now only accepts group visitors on an appointment basis. In this narrow space, there are only a toilet and a sink. The inmate's three meals were delivered through this small window. This is Chiayi's old prison. Eleven years ago this old building was designated as national historic monument and the local government planned to make it into a museum. It was set to open in 2014, however this was postponed. If the public want to visit, they need to work with management opening times. ==VISITOR== If it were to open to visitors at any time, it would be more convenient. I mean, if we come to visit and the museum was not open, then we wouldn't be able to see it. ==VISITOR== If there is no guide, you look around and don't know what this was or that was for. If you are on your own, you only see it as a wooden house, but you don't know anything about its history. This old prison museum is so far only open for four group reservations per day. Chiayi Prison says that some areas of the old building are still being repaired, so due to safety concerns, visitors cannot go around it on their own. ==CHIANG CHEN-HENG, Sec. Chiayi Prison, MOJ, AOC== The old prison is handled by our staff, and we also hired some volunteers. We don't have enough staff to make open the prison completely all day. Some areas are still being renovated, so there are some safety issues and concerns. Chiayi Prison is a rare Japanese colonial building with radiating wings. It is large and the building is in good condition so it was designated a historic monument. Chiayi Prison authorities say they hope to transfer this old building to the local government's cultural affairs department, for better maintenance and operation. TRANSLATED BY：ANTHONY LIN 狹小的空間裡，只有馬桶、洗手檯，而收容人的三餐，是透過這樣的小格子遞飯菜進來，過去監獄內的生活型態，透過嘉義舊監獄一覽無遺。11年前，舊監被公告為國定古蹟，政府決定將它轉型為獄政博物館，但原本預定103年開館營運的計畫卻跳票，民眾想參觀，得配合管理機關開放的時間。 ==遊客== （自由參觀）會比較方便 就是說 你不會就是因為 你這邊開放的時段 而剛好我們來的時候 是剛好沒開放的 那可能就逛不到 ==遊客== 自由參觀的部份 你就等於說 你自己沒有人給你講解的話 你自己東看西看 你不知道說 這裡面這個是什麼意義 像你自己走的話 你看到這只是 喔 只是一個木造的房子 但是你不曉得 它是做甚麼用的 舊監還沒營運，一天只開放4次團體預約，有人覺得不方便，有人反而覺得好管理，而主管機關嘉義監獄則表示，舊監內不少區域還在整修中，開放自由參觀恐怕有安全疑慮。 ==法務部矯正署嘉義監獄秘書 江振亨== 舊監的業務原則上 都是以(同仁)兼辦 那再招聘一些志工 人力沒那麼充足啦 所以目前為止 也沒辦法全區開放 因為整個的建築物 有些還沒有修繕完成的 我們怕有一些安全的問題 嘉義舊監獄是台灣目前，罕見保留日治時期放射狀監獄建築的地方，規模不小，保存也算完整，相當具有歷史價值，不過嘉監表示，獄方工作人員的的專業不在這個區塊，未來還是希望轉移給相的文化部門，讓古蹟得到更妥適的照顧。 記者王柔婷 陳顯坤 嘉義報導