Future plans

（The appearance of the cell block.）
（picture source：photo by this team.）

　　Old Chiayi Prison is one of the significant cultural assets of Chiayi City, and is the currently most completely maintained prison from the Japanese era. It was not only a representative piece of architecture, but is also a major indicator that witnesses the development of Chiayi City history. However, nearby residents ask: they have been living there fore many years, and do not know why this place should be preserved; and they don't know why after all these years, there have been no renovations.

　　Old Chiayi Prison is close to the Linsen campus of the Chiayi University nearby. In 2002, Chiayi City Government plans to make Old Chiayi Prison a part of the Sun Project of Chiayi University, to construct an international convention hall, international education hall, as well as dormitories; this induced the concern of the Ministry of Justice. In 2002, Old Chiayi Prison was designated as a historical monument of the city, and in 2005 it was elevated to the rank of a national historical monument. The sharing of assets after remodeling and reuse is in hopes of a better future.

（Old Chaiyi Prison's visitable poster.）
（picture source：Provide by Mr. Sianyi Chen.）

　　Title rights of the Old Chiayi Prison belong to the Ministry of Justice, but national historical monuments are under the jurisdiction of the Council of Cultural Affairs. Now a bid plan has been promulgated, and architect Chen Wenlong is responsible for design and beginning the renovation project; further usage and development is still being planned. Lecturer Liu Chuan-chi from the Department of Architecture and Interior Design at Yunlin University of Science and Technology believes that ideally, the planning of public space here should have a stage area, music, a café, and part of the park could also be established as a prison hostel, so that young people can understand the value of freedom. Chair of the Taiwan Sustainable Union Tsai Che-ren hopes that the government can speed up its pace at renovating the historical monuments, because Old Chiayi Prison does not only belong to the people of Chiayi, but also to all the people of Taiwan! (From New Taiwan No. 305) Private organizations that have sought maintenance of the Old Chiayi Prison have already held many events in the early days of renovations, such as the Old Prison Experience Camp, Spring at the Old Prison, and these have been well-received.

（Director Hou Hsiao-hsien's conference.）
（picture source：Provide by Mr. Sianyi Chen.）

　　According to plans of the Ministry of Justice, Old Chiayi Prison will be reconstructed as a "prison museum. In 2011, it is planned to open with the World Wind Orchestra Festival. The museum will be used for promotion and passing along information, rather than as a research museum. In terms of management, the Ministry of Justice hopes that it would have the function of legal education. Chiayi City Government hopes that the museum would enliven cultural tourism in Chiayi City, and be able to open the location to local organizations for participation in operations.

　　Furthermore, the main purpose of preserving the Old Chiayi Prison would be for establishment of the prison museum. The Old Prison is more than just a building, but is also an area, the area of which could have different uses in spatial exhibition. The museum can exhibit the different characteristics of correctional facilities and diverse other themes, but it would still primarily revolve around museum administration, and use the unique architectural form of the Old Prison as its own promotion. The old prison cell space can be used for artists to exhibit their works or be used by architecture students. The farm can be used by the city residents for experiential activities. The factories can be used for the residents to make some items with their own hands. Alleys next to dormitories by the Old Chiayi Prison are also favorite filming areas for many directors. The renowned director Hou Hsiao-hsien filmed "A Time to Live, A Time to Die" here, and the female prison in the Old Chiayi Prison was where Wang Hsiao-li filmed "Banquet."

　　The Old Chiayi Prison became a city historical monument, and then elevated to the rank of a national historical monument. This was achieved after the hard work and perseverance of many people. This artwork remaining from the Japanese period is commemorative in terms of the history of architecture, planning vision, spatial form, and architectural methodology.

　　Stepping into the Old Chiayi Prison with its 88 years of history, so many stories have happened. Many people think that the Old Chiayi Prison is an old building that is an obstacle of Chiayi City's development. However, why not take a different perspective; historical monuments are not the problems that hinder urban development, but can also be forces that motivate urban prosperity. If people can be motivated to identify with Chiayi City history, it is possible to enhance the cultural art of Chiayi, and enhance local industries and economic development, so that everyone who comes to Chiayi can feel that they are coming home.