Thailand Seeks To Build 30-35 New Prisons

Corrections Department seeks to build 30-35 new prisons

BANGKOK: -- In an attempt to solve problems associated with overcrowding in prison, Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya, deputy prime minister and justice minister, said today that new government funds would be sought to build 30 to 35 new prisons.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai told senior officials of the ministry during meetings explaining his policies for suppressing drug trafficking among inmates held in Corrections Department institutions that 30 to 35 new prisons would have to be constructed within five years to replace some of the old prisons and to also solve conditions of overcrowding as well.

He also called for installing innovative technology such as closed circuit television and equipment for cutting off cell phone signals to prevent prisoners from using mobile phones in making narcotics deals.

Echoing the minister's call for massive improvement plans, Somchai Wongsawat, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice, said at least seven deputy director generals would be transferred with an aim at improving efficiency within the ministry and that modern technology would be employed.

Nathee Chitsawang, director general of the Corrections Department, said the lack of personnel was his main problem as one official had to take care of 50 prisoners at some prisons.

Another problem, according to Mr. Nathee, some prison officials remained in the same position for too many years and consequently wielded much more power than their seniors, at least in the eyes of prisoners.

He said his department would try to prevent lawyers from visiting prisoners too often because some of these lawyers represented many drug prisoners in court cases at the same time and they happened to act as a go-between outside drug dealers and buyers in the prison.

Thailand currently has 137 prisons and 52 juvenile detention centers.

--TNA 2005-10-16