| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺北大學 === 犯罪學研究所 === 101 === The protection ward in a detention center usually takes detained defendants with specially vulnerable backgrounds such as ex-law enforcement agents, ex-government officials, foreigners, sex criminals, homosexual criminals, insane criminals and other high profile criminals. The purpose is to provide security and better adjustment for the special detainees. This study observed and interviewed eight detainees in such a ward of a Northern detention center in Taiwan to further understand the adjustment of these detainees and the functions of the ward. The results identified some differences in adjustment between the detainees in a protection ward and in regular ward: (1) the detainees in protection ward found it more difficult to adjust to prison life because of their “special“ background. (2) the detainees in the protection ward adjusted better when they have stronger family support compared to those in regular ward. On the other hand, the adjustment of detainees in the protection ward is different from convicted inmates in the following ways: (1) the former lack the U-shaped curve of adjustment stages, and (2) family supports have slightly more effects on the former than the latter.
This study recognized that the existence of the protection ward of a detention center is not just function-oriented but also purpose-oriented. The protection ward indeed provides a relatively safe environment and psychological comfort to the detainees rather than provide absolute security. However, some detainees may turn to perpetrators in the separate environment in addition to the criticism of giving privileges to the upper class criminals.
This study concluded that for protected detainees life adjustment is difficult and prison staff appear more stressed. A well-planned classification system for the protection ward is recommended to improve the current situation. Protection ward in a detention center should exclude at least mental illness detainees and refer them to medical facilities. Sex criminals, who make up the majority in such a ward, should be transferred to a separate ward to preserve scarce resources where most needed. Those who have sexually harassed and assaulted other inmates should be kept in an isolated cell. In following these recommendations, the protection ward will work better to fulfill its original purpose.
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