Standards of Thai prisons to be upgraded

The Director-General of the Department of Corrections, Mr. Natthee Jitsawang (นัทธี จิตสว่าง), said his department has set 10 criterions for prisons, while 30 out of 139 prisons nationwide have passed the criterions. Next year, the standards will be raised so the prisons in Thailand can match other prisons in foreign countries.

Mr. Natthee said some of the criterions include the living environment and treatment of inmates as well as transparency issues. Qualified prisons will receive certificates. More than 80 prisons have passed the transparency criterions, while 92 prisons have satisfactory living environment. The welfares of officers in 66 prisons have met the criteria.

The Corrections Department Director-General said the officials are considering whether or not the rice for inmates will be changed to white rice.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 August 2006

DPM Chidchai Wannasathit believes Thailand’s corrections system is one of the best in the world

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) believes Thailand’s corrections system is unrivaled, comparing to other countries.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai, also caretaker justice minister, said Thai prisons have been well managed and their safety measures, including a ban on mobile telephones, have been strictly enforced.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai said the Corrections Department is working on a plan to solve prison overcrowding by moving some out of the cities. The plan should be submitted to the cabinet for approval soon, he added.

There has not yet been a conclusion whether to allow the private sector to build and manage prisons, Pol. Gen. Chidchai said.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 August 2006

DPM Chidchai Wannasathit believes Thailand’s corrections system is one of the best in the world

"Best" at what? Killing people before trial?

If a country was graded according to its prison system; Thailand would be ranked as a 3rd World Sh86hole.

DPM Chidchai is hardly qualified to comment; as no-one from his strata of society ever sees the inside of a Thai prison. Unfortunately.

This news is about as ironic as it gets, timing-wise, given the Prince that just died in prison...

Maybe he stole the idea from the three EC members that are out on bail.

60-20-20

Does he mean to upgrade prison cells with air-con and softly bed for those high bureaucrats that have special privilege.

If you want to solve the overcrowding problem, take a leaf out of Britains book and just let them out early......