Bangkok: Sek Loso provides information to the subcommittee studying the quality of life of prisoners in correctional facilities, emphasizing the need to upgrade medical care. Ms. Radklao Intawong Suwannakiri, a Member of Parliament from the Democrat Party and Chair of the Sub-committee on Justice, Quality of Life, Access to Quality Healthcare for Prisoners, and Reintegration into Society for Those Who Have Made Mistakes, within the Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights of the House of Representatives, along with Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, MP and leader of the Prachachart Party and member of the Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights, announced the results of the sub-committee meeting to drive concrete reform guidelines.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting invited representatives of former inmates, including Sarayut Srikamnerd (L Oras), Seksan Sukphimai (Sek Loso), Nopanan Thonglueang (Earn Watyai), and Akkarin Puri (Rang Phranakhon). They all reflected on life in prison, sharing similar concerns. For example, they noted that medical care, regardless of the illness, only provided paracetamol, and that vocational training in prison was outdated and not relevant to modern times. They expressed a desire for improvements to both medical care and vocational training to enhance their acceptance into society upon release. However, female former inmates highlighted the problem of insufficient sanitary pads during menstruation.
Based on feedback and opinions from various agencies, it was found that there are structural obstacles that need urgent attention: the ratio of staff and doctors to the number of inmates is not balanced according to international standards, resulting in inadequate care and overcrowded prisons. This directly impacts quality of life management, hygiene, and the effectiveness of disease control or screening.
While Sek Loso said that his life in prison was fortunate, as his musical knowledge allowed him to form a band within the prison, developing his skills and knowledge, and becoming a teacher, instructing younger inmates so they could find careers upon release. He adheres to the principle of "live wisely, be patient, and wait." He wants to encourage ex-convicts and hopes that employers will hire them, believing that everyone who has made mistakes, after serving time in prison, possesses the knowledge and skills to become a good member of society.
Earn Watyai stated that, based on his experience, most inmates lack mental development, morality, or ethics, leading to their lives as they are. He believes that if prisons could develop these aspects to improve the quality of life for inmates, it would greatly benefit them. He wants to see the development of vocational skills that can be used to earn a living, such as hairdressing, computer editing (AI), and art, because some inmates have been incarcerated for a long time and are not keeping up with global advancements.
As for L. Oras, he said he agrees with the idea of creating jobs to meet the needs of society, but what he would like to add is the issue of healthcare. He wants the needs of each sick prisoner to be considered, and treatment to be tailored to their specific illnesses and with the right medication.
Pol. Col. Tawee added that he believes this subcommittee is creating opportunities, as today over 200,000 people enter prison, and the number leaving differs by approximately 6,000. We need to help the 300,000 inmates currently incarcerated, who are the starting point for this process, to reintegrate into society with value and dignity. Therefore, the question is how to rehabilitate them, to help them become new people and start anew. This is both an opportunity and a challenge for Thailand.