$8,000 to Connect with the World: Pingtung Prison Launches Inmate Mobile Coffee Bikes

Using imported Honduran and Casamara coffee beans, the uniquely blended flavor profile delivers an outstanding taste — this is the Pingtung Prison “Dingxin Coffee” that was rated 91 points by the international evaluation agency Coffee Review. From bean selection, roasting, packaging, to brewing, everything is done by the inmates themselves. Wang, head of the Operations Section at Pingtung Prison, explained that their coffee combines the fruity acidity of African beans with the aroma of South American coffee — rich, fragrant, fruity, neither sour nor bitter. After roasting, it is adjusted to a unique blend ratio, making the coffee very smooth. Good coffee not only leaves a pleasant aftertaste but also won’t cause palpitations or sleeplessness.

▲Mobile coffee bike.

Pingtung Prison currently plans four skills training sessions per year, selecting 12–15 individuals who are about to be released for a three-month program. The curriculum includes bean selection, roasting, packaging, and brewing, aiming to equip inmates interested in the coffee industry with a practical skill. Those who wish to open a coffee shop after release can also apply for a “mobile coffee bike.” All equipment, ingredients, and marketing support are provided by the prison. With just NT$8,000 to NT$10,000, one can start a business.

The sales performance of Pingtung Prison’s merchandise is quite strong, generating annual revenue of NT$70–80 million. In February, during the Lunar New Year period, revenue even reached NT$12 million. With such strong backing, the inmates’ “mobile coffee bikes” can not only serve hand-brewed coffee but also sell popular items from the prison. Wang noted that popular prison products include nougat, filter-bag coffee, and nut tarts — all of which can also be sold via the mobile bikes, adding variety. Enjoying a cup of coffee with a nut tart during afternoon tea is a particularly great match.

Currently, 3–4 soon-to-be-released inmates have applied for the “mobile coffee bikes.” It is estimated that they will hit the streets as early as April or May, riding through neighborhoods, selling cups of coffee, and sharing their unique life stories.