Inmates in Pathum Thani jail get entrepreneurial skills

[Lite Beer]

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Inmates in Pathum Thani get entrepreneurial skills
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION

Initiative in women's jail helps equip prisoners for return to society

BANGKOK: -- A BUSINESS-PLAN contest took place behind bars late last month as part of efforts to equip inmates with entrepreneurial skills.

Because many former inmates find it hard to get hired, a number of organisations are working together to help current inmates better prepare themselves for their return to society - and wouldn't it be good if they could start up their own small business?

"I hope I can follow up on this business idea after I am released from jail," a 23-year-old inmate said after her team was declared the winner of the contest.

Her team, Boom Boom, developed a plan to sell breast-firming cream. During their business-plan presentation, all team members interestingly danced to the tune of a popular song and made some sexy moves.

"We know all women wish to be beautiful. Our business, if it can really be set up, should do well," said Kaeo (not her real name).

As a result of the three-day training workshop, she now knows how to price her product and is keen to go ahead with the business idea.

Organised by the Kenan Institute Asia and with the Citi Foundation as the sponsor, the workshop and the business-plan contest took place at the Pathum Thani-based Correctional Institution for Female Drug Addicts, with up to 80 inmates taking part in the training.

"I had much fun and felt so proud," said Kaeo.

Although seven other teams did not win, they also enjoyed the training experience.

"We are going to set up Juice Shake drink stalls in front of shopping malls," an inmate from one of the losers said about her team members' dream business. "Such a stall requires little capital."

Hassaya Hasitabhan, the Citi Foundation's senior vice president for corporate affairs and head of corporate citizenship, said it would be a very good start if the former inmates could start their own business, no matter how small.

She said her organisation had held training on savings and money planning for female inmates many times before, but it had recently decided to include entrepreneurial skills, too.

"We have finally realised that it's very hard for some former inmates to get a job," she said, adding, "So, we have decided to guide them on how to become entrepreneurs."

Thikumporn Wichienchur, director of the Pathum Thani correctional institution, said most inmates came from cash-strapped families and that, without jobs, their future could be doomed.

"If they can't find jobs after their release, some will go back to the drug trade to avoid financial problems," she said.

Thikumporn is therefore convinced that the right solution to the problem is to offer them vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

Job placements

Her facility has negotiated with many employers to arrange job placements for former inmates, she added.

"Even though we can help many former inmates, there was one incident that made us seriously consider the need to give inmates some entrepreneurial skills," Thikumporn disclosed.

She said that after receiving a report that some items had gone missing, an employer suddenly fired all 10 former inmates without ordering any investigation.

"That's when I thought perhaps former inmates should be taught to earn a living independently," Thikumporn said.

Niramol Thamjarern, the facility's head of inmate development, said inmates were assigned to take classes or receive vocational training based on their age and their interest. "For example, we teach sewing and rubber-cutting," she said.

Trained inmates are also paid for their work, she said, though some parts of the wages also go the Corrections Department and the correctional facility itself.

"There are many kinds of jobs, including call-centre-service positions, here," she added.

Thikumporn said inmates were required to open a savings account with the Government Savings Bank, where their wages are deposited, and can withdraw all the money only upon their release.

Sai (not her real name), who is serving her second jail term for drug convictions, said she had now learned to save money.

"I used to spend all the money I had, but not anymore," she said.

Ying (not her real name), a 29-year-old inmate, said she was trying to turn her crisis into an opportunity.

"Now, I have taken a marketing course made available at the correctional facility by the Pathum Thani Technology College," she said, adding,

"After I am released from jail, I will try to start up a business. I am interested in opening a clothes shop.

"I hope I can follow my dream. My wish is that I can take care of my four children and my mother."

-- The Nation 2013-08-18

[dudu]

Politics will be the first choice of many,they have already proven their skills for the job, now they've learnt to refine their skills in not getting caught...

[doremifasol]

Politics will be the first choice of many,they have already proven their skills for the job, now they've learnt to refine their skills in not getting caught... alt=clap2.gif width=31 height=25>

Being able to see the good is a good thing. You should try.

[harrry]

Breast firming cream.. Training in running a scam.

Training is a good idea. It is the fact that this plan won that is suspect.

[chainarong]

This is good to see and must be encouraged at all costs, of course these people could have learnt a whole lot more from the biggest entrepreneur crook in Thailand , if he had done any time , unfortunately to learn these skills, you need to go to Dubai, of course a lower skill set can be obtained from visiting PTP members who seem to frequent these type of places from time to time

[dudu]

Politics will be the first choice of many,they have already proven their skills for the job, now they've learnt to refine their skills in not getting caught... alt=clap2.gif width=31 height=25>

Being able to see the good is a good thing. You should try.

Being able to see sarcasm is also a good thing, you should try.

[Pimay1]

I wonder of our good PM has considered funding this at all women prisons from the "Women's Empowerment Fund". It is definately a good idea and for sure these women need help. I laughed when I saw the winning group's name and what their business plan was then I thought about how many billions of Baht is spent on whitening cream. More power to them.

[Sayonarax]

lol teach them how to run their drug networks more efficiently.

[GentlemanJim]

And in further news

"As the inmates have now completed their introductory entrepreneurial skills course they have the chance to attend the "basic qualifications for MP's and Ministers program" which should increase the opportunity of employment once they leave prison" a spokesman said.

[hellodolly]

lol teach them how to run their drug networks more efficiently.

People that run drug networks are not jailed just the bottom line people in the chain.

[harrry]

Sad to see the nice young girls in the photo. Most likely drugs too. Just shows the harm they really can do to ordinary people. I hope they do have some skills to help them when they get out. If even one of the girls in the photo come out better we have a better Thailand.

[greg71]

A team called Boom Boom wins ,selling breast firming cream lol,one must laugh

[SOTIRIOS]

"Her team, Boom Boom, developed a plan to sell breast-firming cream. During their business-plan presentation, all team members interestingly danced to the tune of a popular song and made some sexy moves."

....that was rewarded....???

[marell]

It's an attempt to help inmates to turn away from crime. Will it be completely successful? Of course not. But If it provides some motivation, self confidence and a few basic skills, it's a step in the right direction.

[jbrain]

Her team, Boom Boom, developed a plan.

During their business-plan presentation, all team members interestingly danced to the tune of a popular song and made some sexy moves.

I have such an idea that Pattaya or Phuket will be part of their business plan.

[Phronesis]

Boom Boom, sexy dance...sigh...the only business these girls will go back into is a bar. If they are too old or ugly to get a fare better to teach them a little booking and HR so they can have a crack at the mammasan role.

[rjcampbe]

"Her team, Boom Boom, developed a plan to sell breast-firming cream. During their business-plan presentation, all team members interestingly danced to the tune of a popular song and made some sexy moves."

....that was rewarded....???

Does it really matter what fictitious product they used for an exercise in the class? What really matters is how they applied the principles they learned to their project.

In my MBA program our instructor assigned us a project to develop a marketing plan for random items we had to pulled out of a bag. We got a can of anti static spray... We marketed it as "Stripper Glitter Remover", to get the stuff off your clothes before you got home... It was funny, and out on the edge, but it was also a well thought out plan that incorporated all of the principles we had learned and we got the highest score in the class on the project.

People learn best and are most creative when they are enjoying what they are doing.

Why do the majority of people posting on this site have to be so negative? Really, if you hate it here so much, why don't you go home?

@ Kenan Institute, NICE JOB. We need more of these activities to give people the skills and opportunities to succeed in their lives.