Inmate Forces Cellmate into S-Acts, Appeal Thrown Out by High Court

A disturbing S-assault case inside Taichung Prison has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of inmates behind bars. A man surnamed Wu, who was already serving time, was convicted of S-assaulting his cellmate known as Xiao Li after coercing him into performing oral and other S-acts.

Court documents revealed that Xiao Li had only been transferred to the prison for temporary custody in April 2023 when he was placed in the same cell as Wu. On his very first night, Wu allegedly threatened him, saying that if he did not comply, he would make sure Xiao Li would not be able to rest or live peacefully in the cell. Out of fear, Xiao Li submitted, though he repeatedly tried to resist and expressed discomfort.

During the assault, Wu forced Xiao Li into S multiple times. Xiao Li later reported the abuse to prison staff, leading to an investigation. Surveillance footage showed Wu physically pulling Xiao Li’s hands and pressing his head down, actions inconsistent with Wu’s later claims that the encounters were consensual.

Survivor’s Testimony and Court Findings

A prison officer testified that Xiao Li had raised the alarm by pressing the emergency bell late at night. When questioned, the victim appeared withdrawn and clearly distressed, behaviour that continued after the incident. The officer noted a visible change in his demeanour, saying he became quieter and less willing to communicate.

Wu, however, denied wrongdoing. He claimed that Xiao Li had hugged him voluntarily and that they had engaged in S-activity willingly. He even argued that Xiao Li could have reported the incident earlier if he had not consented, and suggested that he be given a lie detector test to prove his innocence.

Despite these assertions, judges did not believe his version of events. After examining the surveillance footage, the court concluded that Xiao Li’s compliance was the result of coercion and intimidation.

Four-and-a-Half-Year Sentence Upheld

In the first trial, Wu was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment for one count of forcible molestation and two counts of rape. The court emphasised that Wu had disregarded Xiao Li’s autonomy and inflicted both physical and psychological harm for the sake of his own gratification.

Unwilling to accept the verdict, Wu appealed, insisting on his claim that the acts were consensual. He also requested a polygraph test, which the court rejected, ruling it unnecessary since the available evidence was already clear.

The Taichung High Court dismissed Wu’s appeal, confirming the lower court’s decision. Judges stated that the original trial had already safeguarded Wu’s rights by allowing cross-examination and thorough review of the evidence. His claims were found inconsistent with the facts, leaving no grounds for overturning the conviction.

Wider Concerns About Prison Safety

The case has sparked discussions about inmate safety and whether prison authorities are adequately preventing S-violence behind bars. While prisons are designed to punish offenders, they also carry a responsibility to protect the basic rights and dignity of those serving their sentences.

Human rights advocates argue that S-assault in prisons often goes unreported due to fear of retaliation or disbelief. They stress that cases like Xiao Li’s highlight the importance of strict monitoring, proper inmate classification, and better protection mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable prisoners.

With Wu’s conviction upheld, attention now turns to whether Taiwan’s prison system will take stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.