PHUKET: Video court conferencing with judges and the establishment of a Phuket Prison band are adding to the reputation of the holiday island's jail as one of the most progressive in Thailand.
Prisoners awaiting trial usually have to be shackled and transported to Phuket Provincial Court for preliminary remand hearings every 12 days.
Now most stay at the prison and face judges via a camera.
Phuket Prison Commander Rapin Nichanon says the video system saves time and money and reduces the risks involved of transporting between 50 and 100 prisoners to the court.
''Although the camera had a problem for a while, we are extremely pleased with the video court hearings system,'' he said. Instead of having to transport 50 to 100 prisoners to court, we now manage with 10 or 20.''
Phuket prisoners usually wear leg shackles when being transported to make escape difficult, if not almost impossible.
Norwegian Stein Dokset, arrested last month and facing a charge of having murdered Rungnapa 'June' Ratchasombut at his Kata home, is one high-profile expat who will benefit from the video system.
So too will Swedish pair Tommy Viktor Soderlund and Johan Sebastian Ljung, awaiting trial for the murder of another Swede, Maksim Schantz, on Phuket last year.
Judges can request the attendance of specific prisoners.
Commander Rapin said that the video system also means that prisoners with close relatives in other parts of Thailand can now talk to their relatives through links available at some other prisons.
Music is also being used to give prisoners a break from the monotony of being locked in dormitories from 6pm to 6am with no radio or television in the jail.
A prison band is now in rehearsal, says Commander Rapin, and it is likely to perform with some other entertainment on stage at the Phuket Prison's next ''family picnic'' when a select group of well-bahaved inmates will be able to spend time with their wives and children.
The idea worked successfully with 60 prisoners being allowed to participate last year.
''It's an incentive to all prisoners to behave,'' Commander Rapin said.
As part of the reform process, he has also established a massage facility alongside the prison where members of the public can pay for a Thai massage by female prisoners who have been trained in the role.
Prisoners awaiting trial usually have to be shackled and transported to Phuket Provincial Court for preliminary remand hearings every 12 days.
Now most stay at the prison and face judges via a camera.
Phuket Prison Commander Rapin Nichanon says the video system saves time and money and reduces the risks involved of transporting between 50 and 100 prisoners to the court.
''Although the camera had a problem for a while, we are extremely pleased with the video court hearings system,'' he said. Instead of having to transport 50 to 100 prisoners to court, we now manage with 10 or 20.''
Phuket prisoners usually wear leg shackles when being transported to make escape difficult, if not almost impossible.
Norwegian Stein Dokset, arrested last month and facing a charge of having murdered Rungnapa 'June' Ratchasombut at his Kata home, is one high-profile expat who will benefit from the video system.
So too will Swedish pair Tommy Viktor Soderlund and Johan Sebastian Ljung, awaiting trial for the murder of another Swede, Maksim Schantz, on Phuket last year.
Judges can request the attendance of specific prisoners.
Commander Rapin said that the video system also means that prisoners with close relatives in other parts of Thailand can now talk to their relatives through links available at some other prisons.
Music is also being used to give prisoners a break from the monotony of being locked in dormitories from 6pm to 6am with no radio or television in the jail.
A prison band is now in rehearsal, says Commander Rapin, and it is likely to perform with some other entertainment on stage at the Phuket Prison's next ''family picnic'' when a select group of well-bahaved inmates will be able to spend time with their wives and children.
The idea worked successfully with 60 prisoners being allowed to participate last year.
''It's an incentive to all prisoners to behave,'' Commander Rapin said.
As part of the reform process, he has also established a massage facility alongside the prison where members of the public can pay for a Thai massage by female prisoners who have been trained in the role.
The problem I see with the a massage facility, is how can we, the public, be sure the inmates don't have TB or AIDS/HIV?
Posted by Dun on March 20, 2012 21:41
Editor Comment:
How can the masseuses be sure you don't have TB or AIDS/HIV?