The importance of Prisoner Classification in a Thai Prison

 By Joe Bloggs

 

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 prisoners 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 prisoners 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.

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

Excellent status receive 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 shelvedgoing 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 60^th 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!

SHOCK! AND HORROR!

The hearts of Mothers in England and indeed Mothers around the world must have gone out to 19 years old Michael Connell and his family, when the young adolescent and certainly naïve Englishman was arrested in Bangkok Airport, Thailand for drugs.

 

NO MERCY FOR 19 YEAR OLD BY THE COURT!

As Michael Connell was sentenced to life in Thailands infamous Prison “The Bangkok Hilton” (Bangkwang)

Over 2 years ago now since I sat with Michael on his first night in prison, heavily shackled and terrified, who wouldn’t be! At only 19 years of age and in one of the worst prisons in the world.

GOOD NEWS? Is all too rare here in “The Bangkok Hilton” if not, almost non-excistend .

Very often what they give you with one hand, they take away with the other, and they, in this case being England’s Government. In a extremely rare show of MERCY by the appeal court in Thailand to the then 19 year old Michael.

His sentence of life (50 years) was reduced by appeal court recently to a sentence of 30 years.

20 YEARS OF HIS ORIGINAL SENTENCE, has to be good news, you would think!

BAD NEWS according to the terms of the bilateral treaty of prisoners between Thailand and England.

If Michael had transferred to a UK prison on his original life sentence he would have been given a tariff by the Lord Chief Justice probably not exceeding 10 – 12 years and possibly less. (A tariff is the minimum period that must be served before a person can be considered for release on licence)

But now Michael has to serve a minimum of 15 years in prison and possibly more.

In addition, none of his time served here in Thailand counts towards two thirds automatic release given to all other prisoners held in England.

Instead he must serve two thirds remaining on his sentence on arrival in England, to qualify for automatic release.

Despite requests, the UK authorities have not shown any statute or provision of common law to justify such discrimination.

Young Michael finds himself in the same position as me, having had our sentences reduced, the truth of the matter is we have had our sentences increased by way of a reduction!

Click onto my fact sheet explaining the unfairness of the Thailand – England Prisoner Transfer Treaty!

HAVE YOU NO CONSCIENCE MR. TONY BLAIR?

Is it not enough we suffer for years in these inhumane conditions and you still stand by the present Treaty, even when Thailand has given you the go ahead to draft a new Treaty.