Alternatives to Imprisonment To Cope With Overcrowding (From Resource Material Series No. 38, P 124-129, 1990, United Nations Asia and Far East Institute -- See NCJ-135723)

• NCJ Number: 135733
• Author(s): P Songsamphant
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

Over the past decade, the correctional service in Thailand has sought alternatives to incarceration because of a severe prison overcrowding problem. Overcrowding has resulted in increased expenditures for prison maintenance, undisciplined and ineffective rehabilitation and education, increased prisoner escapes, and an unhealthy environment.

Abstract

Several alternatives to incarceration have been used in Thailand. Individual and collective royal pardons are used by the government to release or remit sentences under the determination of an appointed committee. Probation in Thailand is adopted from the English system; it is used to reform criminals through close supervision, but without segregating them from society. Convicted offenders are eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of their sentence; to obtain parole, inmates must demonstrate good behavior and progress in an educational program. Suspended prosecution is a means by which the prosecutor considers ways to improve the behavior of offenders without resorting to trial; currently, this alternative is not frequently used. 4 tables and 8 references