As the end of the year approaches, the festive spirit quietly fills the cool winter air. To welcome the upcoming Year of the Horse, Pingtung Prison organized a series of Lunar New Year care activities from February 3 to February 13. Through a warm holiday decoration contest, face-to-face family visits, and filial piety phone calls, the prison built a bridge connecting inmates with their families—giving longing an outlet and blessings a direction.

This year’s holiday decoration theme, “Galloping Horses, A New Journey of Hope,” combined inmates’ creativity with the presentation of correctional achievements. Workshops and public areas were decorated with festive Spring Festival couplets, lanterns, and horse-themed ornaments. The horse symbolizes courage and forward movement, representing that each inmate, despite past setbacks, can rise again and move forward with determination. By participating in the decoration process, inmates not only developed teamwork but also expressed their hopes for the new year through every stroke and design. A total of 14 units joined the competition, and Workshop No. 10 won first place for its outstanding creativity.

One of the most touching moments of the season was the face-to-face family visits. Over two consecutive days and three sessions, 313 inmates registered, and 637 family members participated. When long-separated eyes met and hands clasped tightly, silence spoke louder than words. Many families traveled long distances simply to ensure their loved ones were safe and to offer heartfelt encouragement. The atmosphere was warm and sincere, allowing the strength of family support to flow tangibly and meaningfully. For inmates, such care serves not only as comfort but also as motivation for reflection and positive change.

In addition, on February 10 and 11, the prison held a “Filial Piety Phone Call” event, enabling inmates to personally express their gratitude and New Year wishes to parents and family members before the Lunar New Year. Though brief, each call carried deep emotion. Some inmates choked back tears as they said “I’m sorry,” while others firmly promised to improve themselves. On the other end of the line, words of encouragement and advice from family members became a source of strength for steady rehabilitation and personal growth. A total of 1,573 inmates participated in this event.

Pingtung Prison stated that correctional work is not only about management, but also about education and support. Through these Lunar New Year activities, inmates can still feel the warmth of family within institutional life, strengthening positive family bonds and laying a solid foundation for successful reintegration into society. Family is the deepest root of life; support is the firmest soil for renewal.

As the Year of the Horse approaches, Pingtung Prison demonstrates through concrete actions its philosophy of “compassionate rehabilitation and balanced management.” In the chill of winter’s end, these efforts bring added warmth and allow every heart longing for change to see a hopeful direction in the dawn of the new year.