New Rule Lets Convicts Serve Sentences Outside Thai Prisons

[webfact]

 

Picture courtesy: Sanook

 

Thailand's Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong justified a new regulation that allows convicts to be held outside traditional prison facilities. This measure, introduced by the Department of Corrections, is intended to help ease prison overcrowding in Thailand, where the inmate population of about 220,000 greatly surpasses the system's capacity of 150,000 to 160,000.

 

The regulation, introduced under Sections 33 and 34 of the 2017 Corrections Act, allows for alternative detention, including hospitals for sick inmates. Tawee stressed that this is a practical measure for rehabilitation and career training, rather than a convenience for prisoners.

 

In response to speculation that the regulation could favour former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Tawee asserted that it has no connection to her. Yingluck was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison for failing to prevent corrupt rice sales and fled before the verdict. Tawee also dismissed rumours of Yingluck's plans to seek a royal pardon, stating the Justice Ministry was unaware of such developments, reported Bangkok Post.

A Corrections Board, including representatives from the Office of the Attorney-General, the courts, and local officials, will review the criteria for inmates eligible for alternative detention. These guidelines do not specify how many years left on a sentence qualify an inmate, leaving each prison to assess behaviour and decide individually.

 

Eligible candidates might include sick inmates, those over 70, or pregnant inmates. Tawee noted that specific criteria and suitable locations for alternative detention would be determined by each prison.

 

Former Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit called for transparency, questioning whether those convicted of corruption, like Yingluck, would qualify. “Clarification is needed to avoid the perception of preferential treatment for certain convicts,” he said.

 

The regulation comes amid speculation Yingluck might return to Thailand and face justice, mirroring a possible positive outlook similar to that of her brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who returned after 15 years of self-exile.

 

-- 2024-08-28

 

 

Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

[redwood1]

Well it looks like Tony was a early adopter of this new program......

 

Is a helicopter ride to a 5 star residence included?

[Watawattana]

Could some go swim with the fishes?

[proton]

I expect this will just be for the rich and powerful, Somchai will still be in a cell with 50 others.

[Will B Good]

31 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand's Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong justified a new regulation that allows convicts to be held outside traditional prison facilities.

 

Thought this was already in place for when Thaksin returned......oh wait....is this for his sister??

[Will B Good]

 

 

Eligible candidates might include

 

sick inmates,

 

those over 70,

 

pregnant inmates,

 

sisters of former PMs

 

and the wealthy.

 

Although serious doubt has been cast on the first three being eligible. 

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

I read that the 'over 70' rule had always been there.

So is this new or an amendment?

OR did the Justice Minister lie?

[OneMoreFarang]

Just make sure that everybody who was convicted to prison serves at least half the time from the conviction in an actual prison - not in a hospital.

And if there is any possibility that the convicted criminals will repeat their crimes, then make sure they stay in prison.

And move people with minor drug offences to rehabilitation.

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

Well it looks like Tony was a early adopter of this new program......

 

Is a helicopter ride to a 5 star residence included?

 

Only in his case considering his ailments.

[thesetat2013]

I recall reading years ago. That there was a request to the current government to build more prisons. I remember simply because their response to it shocked me. They had made the claim that if they build more prisons it would mean an admission that there are more crimes now. They rejected the idea to make more prisons based on this. It seems now that rather than build more prisons, letting  the prisoner free early to serve time outside a prison giving them the opportunity to commit even more crimes is better than making more prisons. Already Thailand prisons are way overcrowded. So why are they not making plans even now to make more prisons? 

This has to be for YL. So when she comes she can sleep a night at the prison and then get released to do her prison sentence at home. 

[arick]

We know watch the TV.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Is a helicopter ride to a 5 star residence included?

Nah... you get shown to the prison door and a "that ways out".

[JimHuaHin]

Will "political" convicts and former "government officials" be included?

[RichardColeman]

I'm all for rapists and murderers and abusers unclogging the sewers 

[nahkit]

Perhaps the new rule could be called the Shinawatra rule is his honour as the pioneer?

[steven100]

oh great Somchai   !    that'll work  .........      that'll  teach em' not to rape the stepdaughter or shoot papa for drug money.  

 

 

[steven100]

I've got an idea Somchai   !     how about we build another 100 prisons because with all the criminals, murderers , rapists and scumbags getting arrested here your going to fill those in no time.  

[john donson]

private prisons and casinos... and one of them suicide boots for inmates that want early out

[retarius]

How about 'outside Thailand?'