The Taiwan After-Care Association has compiled a new book, An Appointment with the Second Half of Life, which recounts the lives of seven rehabilitated former convicts. A book launch was held at National Taiwan Ocean University in Keelung City on Oct. 13, at which “Black Horse” Chen Hsing-yu, one of the seven reformed convicts, appeared in person to share his inner journey. Keelung City Council Speaker Sung Wei-li attended the book-signing event, saying that she hopes society will give more care and help to rehabilitated former inmates who have the courage to correct their mistakes and lead a better life.
“Black Horse” Chen Hsing-yu spent 30 years behind bars, during which time his wife not only did not leave him but kept watching over his home and family and took their daughter with her to visit “Black Horse” in various prisons as he was moved from one jail to another, so as to encourage him and keep him in good spirits. Looking back on those times, “Black Horse” said that one time when he was imprisoned in Shalun in Tainan, his wife and daughter took the overnight train to Tainan from Keelung to visit him, just so they could see him for a short time. That scene made him determined to get back on his feet, he said.
Chen said that after being released and starting a new life in the community he had worked hard to make a go of it in business and now runs a company that works with reformed ex-prisoners. The story of “Black Horse” moved prison warden Huang Tsung-hsing to write the song Reluctant to Leave Shalun Station, and the Spring Melody Chorus, whose members are mentors for people undergoing rehabilitation, was specially invited to perform the song at the book-signing event, along with singer Stephen Hsu.
Photo: Yu Chao-fu, Liberty Times
照片：自由時報記者俞肇福
Chen Hung-ta, chief prosecutor at the Keelung District Prosecutors’ Office, called on the public to encourage and support reformed former convicts by showing them greater concern and empathy. He said that, as long as they are willing to make a fresh start, they should be treated equally, as that will result in greater social harmony.
(Liberty Times, translated by Julian Clegg)
台灣更生保護會以七位更生人改過向上的故事編寫新書「預約人生下半場」，十月十三日在位於基隆市的海大舉行新書發表會，七位更生人中的「黑馬」陳興餘親自到場分享心路歷程；議長宋瑋莉出席簽書會，希望社會對勇於改過、積極向上的更生人付出更多關懷與幫助。
「黑馬」陳興餘歷經鐵窗生涯三十年，妻子不但不離不棄守護著家庭，並帶著女兒隨著「黑馬」移監到各地四處探監，只為了給他鼓勵打氣；「黑馬」回憶說，當年被關在台南沙崙，妻女遠從基隆搭夜車到台南會客，只為了短暫的會面，那一幕讓他下定決心，要重新站起。
陳興餘說，重獲新生回歸社會後，努力打拚經商，現在成為更生人協力廠商；「黑馬」的故事感動監所管理員黃聰典，譜寫出「戀戀沙崙站」這首歌曲，簽書會特別邀請由更生輔導員組成的春風合唱團以及歌手許志豪獻唱。
基隆地檢署檢察長陳宏達呼籲社會大眾多存「關懷心」、「同理心」來鼓勵、支持更生人，只要願意重新開始都應該要平等對待，才能讓社會更為祥和。
（自由時報記者俞肇福）
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