An Epitome of Institutional Corrections in Taiwan: Trends and Practices From 2014 to 2023

Agency records and administrative data have been widely employed in the criminal justice discipline, particularly in cross-national comparisons. However, only a handful of studies in corrections have used such data to examine institutional trends and practices collectively within an Asian context. To address this research gap, this study analyzes three primary sources of agency records in Taiwan—Statistics of Justice, Crime Situations and Analyses, and Annual Reports—along with unpublished data approved by the Agency of Corrections. Through a systematic review, this study examines the evolution of institutional corrections over the past decade, with a focus on trends in general and special prison populations, release mechanisms, and key institutional provisions. In addition, it will explore the utility of agency documents in advancing evidence-based practices and facilitating cross-societal comparative studies. Hopefully, this study will inspire greater data transparency and applications that guide future research in corrections.