Doze Niu’s Cellmates Claim The Taiwanese Director, Who Was Convicted Of Sexual Assault, Enjoys Privileges In Prison

Taiwanese director Doze Niu, who is currently serving his four-year prison sentence for sexual assault, has been accused of enjoying special privileges behind bars.

According to a letter of complaint by his fellow cellmates, not only is the 56-year-old exempted from work at Hualien Prison, he also “bribes” officers so that they will cover up for him.

When Doze began his sentence last November, he was excused from work due to his poor mental state.

However, after his condition improved, he did not work at the factory like the rest of the inmates, and was instead allowed to remain in his three-man cell.

They also claimed that Doze had used the prison accounts of new inmates to buy cigarettes to “bribe” prison officers so they will cover up for him.

“It’s as though he owns Hualien Prison,” said the disgruntled inmates.

The prison has refuted the claims, saying that they go by the book and that Doze does not receive preferential treatment.

Unlike most inmates who have to work in the factory, well-known individuals are assigned “housework” in their cell to prevent them from being harassed by other prisoners.

It added that Doze is still required to work and he goes about his task of folding origami lotus flowers daily.

This is in accordance to prison regulations and that it was the same when former legislator Fu Kun Chi served his eight-month sentence for insider trading in 2018.

As for the cigarettes, the prison said Doze has been using his own account to make purchases and they are within the approved quota of a pack in every two days.

It added that Doze still has excess funds in his account so there is no need for him to use the accounts of other inmates.

It also emphasised that prison officers did not accept bribes and there is no sign of any cover up.

Photos: Sinchew