釘腳鐐 (2) 2012.03.20鋼筆

Nailing the Shackles (2) 2012.03.20 Fountain Pen Drawing

When it comes to nailing the shackles, I have to mention the novel-based movie “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer”. The first scene of the movie is Grenouille being pulled out of the prison cell with the shackles on. Honestly speaking, starting when I was little, I personally think that chains are not used for human beings. After I work at the prison, it’s common for me to put on shackles on my “customers” even though I’m not really willing to. The former Minister of Justice Wang Ching-feng was consistent with the no-death-execution policy. Another former Minister of Justice Shi Mao-ling signed one execution order, but after that one he refused to do it again. Generally speaking, if the governmental official does not do his job signing the execution order, it’s regarded neglecting his duties which can be impeached. However, things turned out to be fine which also reflected the then government’s attitude towards the death penalty. For us, from the basic level of public servants’ point of view, can I release all the inmates because I feel pity for them and I hold the keys? No way. My only consequence is being charged and sent for trials. 說到釘腳鐐這件事，不能不從《香水Perfume: The Story of a Murderer》這部電影談起，電影第一幕就是身鎖戒具的主角葛奴乙被獄吏從牢裡拖了出來，坦白說，打從小時候我個人的觀念裡，鐵鍊這種東西是用在圈養的動物身上，而不是用在人身上，從事監所工作後，為「客戶」上戒具是常有的事，心裡就算有所不忍也得要忠於自已的職責。

前法務部長王清峰女士在任期間堅持對死刑定讞者不執行死刑；前部長施茂林先生，雖然有簽署一名死刑犯，但之後也開始全面拒簽。平心而論，坐在位子上不做位子上的事，分明是占著茅坑不拉屎，這叫廢弛職務，監察院應該要發起彈劾才是，但事後不了了之也可見政府對死刑的態度，在我們基層看來這是當官者才有的權力，要是今天舍房、戒具鑰匙在我手上，可以因為自己的不忍、說是基於慈悲，而把牢裡的人犯都放了嗎？不被法辦、起訴才怪！