Kaohsiung Female Prison Inmate, 57, Earns Certification, Hopes to Be a "Magic Grandma" for Her Granddaughter

(CNA, Kaohsiung, July 8) A 57-year-old inmate at Kaohsiung Female Prison, known as A-Ping, passed the Class C bread baking certification exam in May, becoming the oldest inmate at the prison to achieve this. Huang Yuan-kuan, Chief Prosecutor of the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office, visited today to offer encouragement. She pledged to no longer be a societal problem and to become a "magic grandma" in her granddaughter's eyes.

With the support of the Agency of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, and the Kaohsiung branch of the Association for the Rehabilitation of Offenders, Kaohsiung Female Prison implemented an "escorted external examination" model for the first time on May 17th this year. This allowed inmates to go beyond the prison walls to participate in Class C skills certification exams at a venue designated by the Ministry of Labor. The participating inmates lived up to expectations, achieving a 100% pass rate in the "immediate testing and evaluation" exam, earning them the Class C Technician Certificate for "Baking Food - Bread" issued by the Ministry of Labor. The expenses for this examination were fully subsidized by the Kaohsiung Association for the Rehabilitation of Offenders, with the hope of boosting the inmates' confidence in reintegrating into society.

A-Ping (pseudonym), a 57-year-old inmate, participated in a certification exam for the first time. Not only was her practical performance stable, but her academic score also reached an impressive 96 points. After receiving her certificate, she wrote a letter to Huang Yuan-kuan, Chief Prosecutor of the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office, who has long been concerned about inmates undergoing vocational training. In addition to expressing her gratitude, the letter also conveyed her expectations for returning to society and finding employment after rehabilitation.

This morning, Huang Yuan-kuan, accompanied by two prosecutors from the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office and the chairman of the Kaohsiung Association for the Rehabilitation of Offenders, visited Kaohsiung Female Prison to encourage the inmates. The Kaohsiung Female Prison specially arranged a live demonstration for this visit, inviting the attendees to try their hand at kneading "Sun Cakes" (Taiyang Bing) and experience the baking process.

"In life, it's rare for someone so out of reach to come see me," A-Ping said with a smile. "Most of the time, prosecutors ask me to appear in court; a chief prosecutor never visits." Therefore, she thought every day about how she absolutely had to pass. "I carry the expectations of everyone behind me." If she didn't pass, she feared it would affect her classmates and disappoint the opportunity given by the Association for the Rehabilitation of Offenders.

A-Ping admitted that she was imprisoned in 2013 for a drug offense and has applied for parole six times since. After passing the certification exam this time, she made a pact with her classmates who also passed, saying, "We will no longer be a problem for society." She even vowed not to run red lights, and to be a person of integrity, just like the chief prosecutor, who keeps her word.

A-Ping mentioned that she has two children. She used to write letters to her family, but after her imprisonment, her daughter once refused to contact her. It wasn't until the prison encouraged her to share her baking process at the female prison that her family began to accept her. She also realized that she shouldn't live for her children, but first do well for herself.

"My children got married, and my granddaughter started elementary school. I missed all these important family moments," A-Ping said emotionally. Now, she has regained her confidence in the baking classroom and has written to her granddaughter, "I will be your magic grandma and make cakes for you," so that her granddaughter can happily share with classmates and teachers at school. She also promised that her granddaughter will definitely eat the cakes she makes in the future.

Huang Yuan-kuan told reporters that for some inmates, especially those of advanced age, the biggest challenge in obtaining certification is the written exam. During a previous visit, he had promised to return to see everyone if they successfully obtained their certificates. "I am very pleased to see that the oldest participant passed with a high score this time," he said, indicating that regardless of past education, anyone can earn their first certificate in life through hard work. He mentioned that the products from the female prison are made with love and without food additives, hoping the public will offer more support so that inmates can serve society after their release.

Huang Yuan-kuan added that while obtaining certifications is common for high school or university students in the outside world, it is somewhat difficult for older inmates with varying educational backgrounds. "I hope this example can encourage inmates in correctional facilities that with determination, anything is possible." He believes that after returning to society and opening a business, the certification can enhance their confidence.

Kaohsiung Female Prison stated that due to limitations in space, workflow, and existing equipment not meeting examination venue standards, the baking classroom within the prison could not host certification exams for inmates who completed the baking vocational training program. To improve the effectiveness of vocational training, the prison proactively planned this external skills certification program. They selected inmates who had completed baking vocational training, demonstrated excellent performance, and had a strong desire for rehabilitation, providing them with guidance to obtain certifications. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150708 with guidance to obtain certifications.