Green Island Prison -- a symbol of the nation's White Terror period in which thousands lost their lives and countless more were politically persecuted -- will be closed down, Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan (陳定南) said yesterday.
Chen yesterday said the justice ministry planned to shut down the prison, which currently houses 436 inmates, within a year.
"Green Island is a beautiful place," Chen said at his year-end press conference yesterday. "Its image for most people, however ... is that of a destination for hardened criminals."
Chen said the move comes at the behest of Vice President Annette Lu (
Other famous political prisoners held there include President Chen Shui-bian (
"Two days ago Lu visited Green Island and instructed us to move all inmates and prison employees off the beautiful island, so that it can become a purely scenic spot and attract more tourists," Chen said.
"As a result, we have decided to make the closure one of our priorities for 2002 and to finish the project within the year."
Chen said that the 436 inmates would be transferred to prisons in Taitung, Hualien or other locations where space is available. "If there isn't enough space in those places, we will build new prisons to resolve the problem," he said.
Huang Chen-nan (
"Since 1971, Green Island Prison has been where the police and military sent their most dangerous criminals," Huang said.
"Currently, we have 436 inmates and 168 employees at the prison. Because it has been a prison island for decades, its natural resources have been preserved very well, since tourism has been limited."
Huang said the prison would be open to visitors. "Tourists will be able to visit the prison and learn about its history," Huang said.
In other comments yesterday, the justice minister denied allegations he interfered with the investigation into the Chu Mei-feng (
Chen was responding to accusations made yesterday by the New Party's Huang Shan-shan (
The city councilor alleged that Chen had interfered in the investigation on the behalf of his friend Tsai Jen-chien (
"That's quite ridiculous," Chen said. "Political power does not -- and will not -- interfere with the judicial system. I am an acquaintance of Tsai but we are not as close as people think.
"Our prosecutors have worked very hard to establish the truth. Please encourage them instead of questioning them. Just give them some space and time and I believe the case will soon be closed."
Chen also said yesterday that the justice ministry opposes legislative proposals to set up casinos on Taiwan's offshore islands of Kinmen, Penghu and Matsu.
Chen said the plan was "a bad idea."
"The experience of other countries is that crime rates always rise in cities where gambling is legal," he said.
"In the US, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, are examples. Their citizens have to put up with increasing crime, including drug dealing and rape," Chen said.
"What's worse, casinos usually become fronts for money laundering," Chen said.
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