Youth at Seventeen
2014.11.15Fountain Pen Drawing
The detention execution document not only stated that “It is obviously
inappropriate to release the young defendant on bond, therefore, the
defendant should be detained,” but there was also a line scribbled,
“Forbidden to communicate, or to give and take objects from others”. It
seemed that the prosecutor didn’t have enough substantial evidence, thus they
detained him in a cell with the most basic living conditions until he was
willing to confess.
He had been held in incommunicado for three months. Since the
youngster wasn’t allowed to live with other adults, he had been living in the
solitary unit from the day he arrived at the institution. The guards often
heard him humming quietly to himself while patrolling the unit. He was always
bending forward to read his seemingly tattered little book or dazing off
while lying on the floor, or sometimes burying his face in his blanket.
The result of the trial was surprising, the court didn’t lift the ban.
“I thought I would be released from the restriction… ” his head
lowered in sadness, “but the accomplice and the witness of my case are both
in custody so…”
As I escorted him back to his room, I saw an orange with a face drawn
on it. I asked if he drew it and he replied, “Yes, I drew it to keep me
company.”
I walked out and heard the cleaners say, “the judges and prosecutors
want to convict him. The accomplice and the witness are detained in the same
room every day. How easy it is for them to conspire and fabricate evidence.
How could he ever win?”
When night fell, the Chief asked if the boy was released. I shook my
head.
“He’s only seventeen and has been in isolation for so long. I can’t
imagine how detrimental it will be to his mental health. This is not right.
Is there anyone there for him as his counsel?”
I shook my head again.
The Chief said, “I think someone should talk to him given it doesn’t
interfere with the case. I think we give too much credit in holding someone
incommunicado.”
I believe our society should pay back the sacrifice we let this kid
bear someday, and I hope that day never comes.
“Thank goodness he’s tough. He reads and sings to get through this
tough time.”
“But there will be a problem if this continues!”
Indeed, it has gone beyond his tipping point.
“I will say whatever you want me to say. I can’t take it anymore. I
can’t take it that you want me to confess to something I didn’t do.”
We used long-term solitary as a tactic to extract false confession
from a seventeen-year-old child. I don’t know if anyone can call this
justice. The damage and suffering he bears, how could he ask to be
compensated?
I can’t even imagine.
How wonderful it is that we have this sort of judicial system. How
wonderful! Fuck!
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法院的收容書上收容理由除了制式化印著「少年責付顯不適
「還好他夠堅強，會唱歌、翻那本看上百遍的書打發時間。
「可是這樣下去一定會出問題呀！」
果然，他已經到了極限了⋯⋯
「我想狀紙寫一寫，招一招算了，可是沒做的事也要我承認
對一個十七歲的孩子，以長時間獨居為手段，不知對他的身
我不敢想⋯⋯
我只能說有這樣除惡務盡的院檢，真的是太棒了⋯⋯
⋯⋯幹
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