A convict who was recently granted parole and won a place at National Taiwan University (NTU) may receive monetary support for his education from the school and his victim, TV personality Pai Ping-ping (
Two prisoners passed the Joint College Entrance Exam and were accepted by the National Taiwan University this year. One of them was the infamous "Hwakang Wolf" (華崗之狼), a multiple rapist whose parole has been denied by the Ministry of Justice. The other is surnamed Huang from Tainan Prison. His parole was approved last week which means he will be a freshman in the Department of Sociology at NTU in a few weeks.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
"I didn't sleep well last night when my media friends told me that Huang is going to be released and will study at NTU," Pai said. "I cannot forget that 11 years ago he and three other suspects sneaked into my house, tied me, my parents and my daughter up with wires and used two knives, an axe and a pistol to threaten us."
"When they took off their masks, I thought I was dead," Pai said. "I just couldn't stop begging them not to hurt my family."
Speaking at a meeting for public interests, Pai and Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
"We should help and pay for those who are really in need," said Pai. "But we cannot waste our money, time or any sort of help on those who don't want to stand up for themselves."
"He became a criminal 11 years ago because he was broke. Today, he has this chance to be rehabilitated by receiving a higher education. We should do whatever it takes to help. However, if he does not have the money for enrolment, I will pay his tuition fee," Pai said.
In addition to Pai's help, NTU also said that the school will provide financial aid for Huang and arrange part-time work for him if needed.
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