The Central Women’s Correctional Institution

When I received the original schedule for this travel opportunity, there was one item listed that stood out to me-a visit to a Thai prison. The time our group spent at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution did not disappoint. I found the experience to be informative and, in a strange way, slightly uplifting.

There are currently 4,407 women prisoners at the institution we visited, which is the maximum security prison for women in the system. About 80% of these women are there due to offenses concerning narcotics, most of which involved selling or trafficking of drugs.

Currently, there are 648 foreign prisoners. None of these women, however, is from the United States. In fact, there has not been an American prisoner for at least four years, since a specific bi-lateral agreement was made (of which I have no additional details). Most of the foreign prisoners are from Myanmar, Cambodia, or Laos, and most are there for either immigration offenses or drug trafficking reasons. In addition, these women are allowed consolatory visits on a regular basis, in addition to regular meetings with lawyers.

One big difference between the United States’ system and that we saw in Thailand concerns the number of people who are imprisoned awaiting trial or investigation, which included about 17% of the population. Most people arrested in Thailand wait for about two years before the trial takes place, during which time they are kept at the facility. In the United States, of course, the Bill of Rights assures Americans the right to at speedy trial.

Another interesting point about the prison concerns the number of children attached to imprisoned mothers. Until a baby is one year old, they are allowed to remain in the prison infant care system, where the mothers are allowed visits. Currently, they are 35 babies at the prison, and we had the chance to visit the nursery. In fact, I was handed Nancy, a month old darling girl. The General joked that there was a buy one, get one free special going on, as she finds the number of babies and pregnant prisoners (56) problematic. The babies are very well cared for by women learning baby-sitting skills for future employment. After one year, if a family member does not take the baby, they an institution and are later provided an education. Pregnant women are taken out of the institution to the public hospital to delivery, even though the institution has good medical facilities. Since the hospital of birth is noted on the birth certificate, it is a way of giving the new infant a fair chance in the future.

We were shown the library at the institution, which is very nice. In fact, inmates are allowed to seek an education while at the facility, and the library even includes a special room for those individuals working towards a B.A. degree with necessary books and a quiet learning space. This opportunity exists for all inmates, even those sentenced to life or the death penalty.

The cell spaces are communal, which is different from most U.S. prisons. Most rooms sleep between 20-40 people on tightly lined, thin mats placed on the floor. Each individual also receives a blanket and pillow. No other personal items are allowed, and the lights are never turned off in the cell rooms. Inmates are kept in their cells between 6:30pm and 6:00 am, which the exception of the breakfast crew that are released earlier to begin cooking.

In addition to the educational opportunities available to the inmates, there are a wide range of vocational opportunities. Women can learn arts, such as embroidery, jewelry making, and sewing, and these items are sold to the public to help fund prison programs (since the budget is about $1/day per person). I purchased several really beautiful items made by the women. In addition, there is a culinary school and accompanying restaurant, at which we had our lunch, where some women learn to cook and others to serve food. The prison also has a gardening program, which explains the incredibly when maintained flower beds in the institution. Overall, the programs created to provide women with a career plan for their release helps explain the fact that 95% of the women are not rearrested.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit the correctional institution. I believe it will be one of those experiences that I will continue to mentally come back to, in order to better understand and process all that I saw. The Director who gave us our tour was very informative, and she provided me with her contact information about the end of the visit. She has a daughter studying in Colorado, and I for her to be a very interesting, informative, and intelligent woman. I look forward to keeping in touch with her in the future.