Monitoring devices for Thai convicts hailed as a success

[webfact]

Monitoring devices hailed as a success
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- ONE YEAR after its introduction, electronic monitoring (EM) has brought hope that the country can ease overcrowding in prisons, deliver a better probation system, and help people convicted of non-serious crimes maintain a fairly normal life.

"We can still go to work," said a 21-year-old man who, along with his girlfriend, was found guilty of street racing on January 13.

With EM devices around their ankles, they can still earn a living as factory workers in Samut Prakan. The devices were attached on March 2.

"We are happy that the court has sentenced us to a three-month probation instead of a three-month jail term. At least we don't lose our jobs and we will not have to bear the stigma of being prisoners," he said on condition of anonymity.

He and his girlfriend hide the devices by wearing long trousers.

EM devices monitor convicts on probation by checking that they are not travelling over the allowed speed limit, they do not visit prohibited places, and they do not go out during certain periods of the day.

Through the use of a global positioning system, the devices send data in real time.

Probation Department director general Kannikar Saengthong said in an exclusive interview with The Nation that the EM project had been a success.

"During its first phase between February to September 2014, this project had 254 probationers using EM bracelets. All of the detainees were released from probation without any problems," Kannikar said.

She said the EM project was now in its second phase, with 3,000 probationers wearing bracelets in 22 provinces and Bangkok.

She admitted that currently the benefit of the device on reducing prison overcrowding was not clearly apparent because the project was yet to be adopted nationwide. However, the Probation Department was planning to enlarge the project to cover every province by the next fiscal year.

In order to see how the bracelet works and how efficient the EM system is, The Nation had an opportunity to visit an electronic monitoring control centre.

On the big screen, a real-time map with moving dots showed the location of all the probationers at any given time. The dots indicated the names of probationers and where they were going. A sidebar on the left of the map showed details of the probationers: full name, phone number, their offence and speed.

Sangduen Sangbua-ngamlom, chief of the control centre, said the data on the screen was sent by a GPS system located in a transmitter inside the bracelet.

She said the probationers were barred from entering and leaving certain places, moving faster than 60 km/h, and veering off a designated direction, although conditions varied from case to case.

"The officers in 27 monitoring centres across the country are working 24 hours a day to ensure the probationers do not violate their conditions. The restrictions will prevent them from repeating the same offence and keep them safe," Sangduen said.

"If they violate the rules, their names will pop up in the right sidebar and we shall call them to warn them about their violation."

Once the waterproof bracelet is locked, the only way to take it off is by using a special tool at a probation office.

The devices are battery powered, so they need to be charged regularly. If the battery is low or someone tries to take off the bracelet, a signal will be sent to a monitoring centre.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Monitoring-devices-hailed-as-a-success-30255600.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-09

[jaidam]

Any update on when these electronic bracelets will be rolled out for compulsory wear by tourists for their safety? I'm not convinced it would stop tourists coming into contact with entitled psychopaths, but it will make corpse recovery easier. It might have been easier simply to jail all murderers - regardless of who their daddy is/ how their clans political affiliations lie, although having read the news over the last 6 months that is clearly not happening.

[maidee]

so on the pic, 2 convicts together, i tought they could not go look up other convicts, anyway, that is in civilized countries

sure it will stop them from dealing, robbing, raping, killing others ? right ?

if thailand want to free up some places, why not get out the drug USERS that did not commit crimes, except the tiny amount they were caught with ....

it is the same as TRYING to combat gambling and illegal casino's, they will do it anyway

[Daniel Ingalls]

Tourists of the future will have these devises attached to their ankles when entering through the boarders of Thailand. Of course they will put down a deposit for the cost of these contraptions, and returned deposits upon departure from Thailand. When the date of expiration of visa, it is announced through large sirine sounds from the devise, The individual must report with in 24 hours to any Immigration office to shut it off. While there they have options to upgrade visa, or be accompanied to the nearest boarder/airport exit. This will eliminate overstays, and 90 day report ins.

[greenchair]

Wonderful news.

Now how about letting some of these 60 year people in jail for minor offences out.

And also the young students put in prison for petty offences.

We just don't put people in prison for many of the offences that people go to prison here for.

We save it for the murderers, violent people and kiddy fiddlers.

This is the flipflop country. ?

[DLock]

Tourists of the future will have these devises attached to their ankles when entering through the boarders of Thailand. Of course they will put down a deposit for the cost of these contraptions, and returned deposits upon departure from Thailand. When the date of expiration of visa, it is announced through large sirine sounds from the devise, The individual must report with in 24 hours to any Immigration office to shut it off. While there they have options to upgrade visa, or be accompanied to the nearest boarder/airport exit. This will eliminate overstays, and 90 day report ins.

...they will also be charged ridiculously expensive fees for damage they supposedly did to the ankle bracelet as they exit the country...

[Thaddeus]

If the bracelets were necklaces fitted with a small explosive charge, crime rates would drop overnight.

I'm trying to think of a good reason why anyone with medals, wing emblems or a silly gold coloured motorsai helmet shouldn't also be fitted with one.

Got nothing.

Edited March 9, 2015 by Thaddeus

[Tchooptip]

Wonderful news.

Now how about letting some of these 60 year people in jail for minor offences out.

And also the young students put in prison for petty offences.

We just don't put people in prison for many of the offences that people go to prison here for.

We save it for the murderers, violent people and kiddy fiddlers.

This is the flipflop country. ?

Like this one?

[jcisco]

whoa this thread is the dumping ground of negativity

[Jim walker]

Hope they are fitted with an explosive device so that if they break their curfew kebang and off comes your leg that will also stop them running after an accident

[tragickingdom]

What about fitting these devices to ankles of all army officers over 40 years old so that democratically elected people can see that they are not coming too close to parliament buildings and have no contact with corporations like BBL, CP and Boonrawd to plan any future coups?

[Benmart]

whoa this thread is the dumping ground of negativity

I agree.

This program is a positive step for alternative sentencing of non-violent, non-drug related, minor offenders who must meet certain criteria for entry into the program.

The nattering nabobs of negativism, (Thanks Spiro Agnew), are free to spout their sad rhetoric. I don't know any of the TVF NNofN personally, but run into plenty of dark, frowning, unhappy and negative people everyday.

I give them a wide path to pass by and thank my higher power that I see the positive light in most instances.

One Day at a Time

[freedom4life]

Welcome big brother....Thailand is waiting for you.

[aboctok]

What about fitting these devices to ankles of all army officers over 40 years old so that democratically elected people can see that they are not coming too close to parliament buildings and have no contact with corporations like BBL, CP and Boonrawd to plan any future coups?

That would fall into the category of reform. Which is banned. Sorry.

[Strangebrew]

So it records position in case of lady what if she boom boom over sexed farang she might go over speed limit in same place.

[rubl]

What about fitting these devices to ankles of all army officers over 40 years old so that democratically elected people can see that they are not coming too close to parliament buildings and have no contact with corporations like BBL, CP and Boonrawd to plan any future coups?

Somehow I doubt the former army chief and supreme commander General Chaiyasith Shinawatra would be much amused with your suggestion.

BTW is there a certain bias or did you forget about Admirals, Air Marshals and Police Generals and lower officer ranks? Be careful though, you may step on toes of easily annoyed people like Pol. Captain Chalerm or former Lieut-Col. Thaksin S.

Edited March 9, 2015 by rubl

[kiwikeith]

so on the pic, 2 convicts together, i tought they could not go look up other convicts, anyway, that is in civilized countries

sure it will stop them from dealing, robbing, raping, killing others ? right ?

if thailand want to free up some places, why not get out the drug USERS that did not commit crimes, except the tiny amount they were caught with ....

it is the same as TRYING to combat gambling and illegal casino's, they will do it anyway

The good part is they are not letting murderers out with them, except for the privileged clan.

In NZ a young murder suspect was released on bail with one on, and he cut it off and is on the run-- very stupid.

However that might change in the LOS and soon we could see the same happening - I hope not.

[AlQaholic]

They can use them to keep track on all these expats living and working in Thailand! I can barely resist my urge to get my hands on one!

[Brit_Doggie]

Can i please have one for my gf i want one that has an alarm fitted everytime she goes within 1 metre of any atm machine.