Volunteer Group Training

    To enhance volunteers' professional knowledge and skills and strengthen counseling effectiveness, the "2015 Volunteer Training" was held on November 12th in the briefing room of the prison's administration building. The opening ceremony was presided over by Warden Huang Hongxi, who expressed gratitude for the volunteers' long-term dedication to education and counseling, and hoped that volunteers and correctional staff would work together to sow seeds of hope in the hearts of inmates, allowing the flower of rebirth to bloom in the correctional field.。
    This event featured a special lecture by Professor Huang Lan-ying, Director of the Institute of Criminology at National Taipei University, on the topic of "An Introduction to Restorative Justice." Professor Huang explained the principles of respect, listening, and accountability emphasized in restorative justice in a clear and accessible way. She also shared domestic and international case studies, demonstrating how dialogue and understanding can foster remorse in perpetrators, healing in victims, and community repair. This allowed volunteers to deeply appreciate the spirit that "restoration brings about change more effectively than punishment."
    At the end of the course, volunteers enthusiastically shared their experiences. One indigenous volunteer shared that in the past, when conflicts occurred in the tribe, elders would preside over restorative ceremonies. Both parties would apologize and host a feast for their tribespeople to express their remorse and sincerity, thus rebuilding harmonious relations. This traditional culture resonated with the concept of restorative justice, giving the volunteers present a deeper understanding of the meaning of "restoration." They also better appreciated that restoration is not only a legal action, but also a process of genuine connection and healing between people.