The Department of Correction (DOC) has hit back at claims by the International Federation for Human Rights that conditions in Thai prisons are poor.
The agency made a statement addressing the criticism made by International Federation for Human Rights who pointed out that the management of the Thai prisons fell below the international standards and the jails were ridden with human rights abuses, overcrowded and remained lacking in correction officials.
The DOC said it has been treating both Thai and international inmates equally and uphold the international standards such as the Mandela Rules and the Bangkok Rules which determine the basic care for inmates’ quality of life, medical assistance, education and occupational training programs while the Thai law forbids any kind of torture of the inmates.
Inmates in the Thai prisons will face punishment depending on their offence. Punishments include prohibition of external visits for up to 3 months, prevention of receiving rewards and up to one month isolation.
The DOC requires inmates to wear restraints in forms of handcuffs and leg cuffs only when transporting inmates to and from prison and court, or to and from another prison.
Touching on the claims of physical abuses against inmates with the alleged use of nightsticks, the DOC clarified that nightsticks are a weapon for prison officials who are only allowed to use them in order to break up a fight among the inmates or in self-defence.
The DOC acknowledged that there might be a problem about overcrowded conditions given that up to 70 percent of all inmates were convicted of drug trafficking charges.
(Source:National News Bureau of Thailand)