Prisoners riot over 'abuse' by wardens
Inmates riot at Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Juvenile Prison yesterday. They called off their protest after Corrections Department director-general Nathee Jitsawang agreed to most of their demands.
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More than 400 inmates rioted for about eight hours at a local prison yesterday in a protest over five wardens accused of physical assault and stealing.
The drama only ended when Corrections Department's director general Nathee Jitsawang agreed to most of the inmates' demands. These include an inquiry into the wardens, improved welfare and the decision not to punish any of them for the disturbance. Armed with knives and iron bars, the angry inmates burnt down a warden's wooden shelter and severely assaulted a fellow detainee, identified only as Thanakorn, on suspicion that he had given tips-off to the wardens during the chaos. Thanakorn sustained serious injuries and was hospitalised. The riot dragged on from around 9am till 5pm. The situation turned violent when the protesting inmates attacked Thanakorn, then burnt down the warden's shelter amid cheers from their fellows. They also threatened to set fire to more property if Nathee did not come to negotiate. Located in Muang district, the prison only detains young male inmates between 18 and 22 years old. Most are serving sentences for drug-related charges. Officials said most inmates were armed during the riot with iron bars, knives and wooden sticks they brought from the kitchen and vocational training zone. Nathee immediately flew from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat when he learned of the incident. He also instructed local police and senior officials to take charge first. When Deputy Nakhon Si Thammarat Governor Wongwiboon Kijwiboon rushed to the prison, the protesting inmates refused to negotiate. Police officers, fire trucks and ambulances were also dispatched to the scene. During the disturbance, some 10 inmates climbed onto the prison wall to let media crews see their injuries allegedly inflicted by the prison wardens. The inmates said they wanted five wardens - Sakon Jongsiri, Jamras Mukda, Thanom Mangsathong, Pramong Chanasit and Bonyarit Ponsaman - transferred. They also demanded improved welfare and immunity from punishment for causing the havoc. The inmates painted a board saying, "We will not allow the officials to abuse us anymore". The wardens were accused of assaulting the inmates, and stealing goods that the inmates should have received from their relatives. As the situation dragged on into the late afternoon, police installed spotlights around the prison walls out of concern the inmates might attempt to escape after nightfall. However, when Nathee arrived at 4.20pm the negotiations started. Inmate Makisor Deboh, who was jailed for a bomb incident at Beyong Hospital in Yala, talked to Nathee via loudspeakers before he submitted written demands. At 5pm, Nathee agreed to most of the demands and the inmates stopped their angry and violent protest peacefully. According to Nathee, the inmates will not be punished for yesterday's incident. The five wardens will face an immediate probe. The prison's director Chupong Pongpensawas plans to tackle welfare problems at the jail. "As for their demands to be transferred to a prison in their hometowns, we will consider each request on case-by-case basis," Nathee said. The Nation Nakhon Si Thammarat
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