The importance of Prisoner Classification in a Thai Prison

 

PRISON GUARD PLAYS JUDGE AND ADDS 5 YEARS 7 MONTHS TO MY SENTENCE, TO LINE HIS POCKETS WITH MONEY!

For decades the review of a prisoner’s classification has always taken place at 6 months intervals in June and December with no exceptions to the rule.

At the rare times amnesties are given to drug cases (about every decade). A prisoners status (classification) i.e., standard, good, very good, or excellent determines just what percentage of a given amnesty he/she receives.

With probably the severest sentences in the world and no functioning parole system, a prisoner’s only hope of getting out of prison alive is with a reduction in sentence at amnesty.

For you to appreciate the importance of a prisoner’s status (classification) at the time of an amnesty, let me show you an example and explain a little of how it works, using my sentence and present circumstances as the example.

Let’s use this forth coming amnesty next month June 2006 and for arguments sake say the amnesty is one half.

Excellent status receives a 1/2 cut, very good 1/3, good 1/4 and standard 1/5. with my sentence of 33 ½  years you will appreciate the scale of difference from “standard” status where I would receive about 6 years 8 months off and “excellent” status where I would receive 16 years 9 months off.

10 years difference almost, that’s one hell of a long time in a Thai prison and probably a life saving difference.

With 3 years prior-knowledge to this June’s amnesty, I’ve planned, even shelved going to the appeal courts, where I had an excellent chance of reduction in sentence, considering the small amount of drugs (25 grams) I’ am convicted on.

I calculated I would be on excellent class next month to receive the maximum amnesty and so closed my case in the court.

Next month, June 2006 is the biggest event ever in Thailand’s History, as it marks the 60th anniversary to their Kings accession to the throne.

I was given very good class last December 2005 and was assured by the guard in charge of classification that my continued good conduct would ensure a status of “excellent” in June.

With next months amnesty within arms reach, the guard, the very same guard who assured me of excellent status in June, well last week he announces he’s changing decades of rules that classification takes place in June, and he may now do it in July, or if he doe’s decide to go ahead in June, we will not be giving Junes classification (status) until after the amnesty and only our classification (status) already given in December counts for the amnesty.

He’s just cost me 5 years 7 months more in prison and many more prisoners a hell of a lot extra time to serve.

Why!, because it’s in the best interest of guards and officials to keep prisoners for as long as possible to line their bulging pockets with money.

There isn’t anything we can do about it as prisoners, as prisons in Thailand are a Law until themselves