Some Measures Trying to Alleviate the Problem of Prisoners Overcrowding in Thailand (From Resource Material Series No. 36, P 252-260, 1989 -- See NCJ-135660)

• NCJ Number: 135678
• Author(s): P Naigowit
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 9 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

The problem of prison overcrowding in Thailand is demonstrated by the fact that 88,072 inmates were in 120 correctional institutions in 1985 that were capable of handling only 46,000 inmates.

Abstract

Between 1979 and 1985, the number of inmates increased by 3,290 per year. The Department of Corrections, however, could only build one prison with a capacity of 500 inmates per year. Further, the number of prison staff did not rise commensurate with the increased number of inmates. Limited financial resources curtail the construction of a sufficient number of new facilities. Consequently, the Thai government is attempting to alleviate prison overcrowding by several noninstitutional methods. These methods include fines, probation, sentence remission, parole, and pardon. The Public Prosecution Department is cooperating in solving the problem of prison overcrowding by using certain kinds of preventive measures. Such measures encompass the dissemination of legal information, assistance in resolving disputes, and suspended prosecution. It is felt that community-based programs, particularly probation and parole, represent a cost-effective approach to alleviating prison overcrowding. Part 2 of the Thai Penal Code dealing with measures of safety is provided in an annex. 7 tables and 6 notes