Should Drug Traffickers be so inhumanely treated in Thai prisons?

**Scooter** · 02-04-2008, 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by blackgang

In some parts of the US prisons system, the prisoners are made to work and earn or supply parts of their own food, lodging and make some money to supplement the money that is spent

Umm and the profits go to private companies not back to the tax payer.
Prisons are being used as cheap labour,the new call centres.

**Scooter** · 02-04-2008, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by Luckydog

And as has been said before, the topic is about mistreatment by guards.

Just read that.

**Hootad Binky** · 02-04-2008, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by Scooter

Originally Posted by blackgang

In some parts of the US prisons system, the prisoners are made to work and earn or supply parts of their own food, lodging and make some money to supplement the money that is spent

Umm and the profits go to private companies not back to the tax payer.
Prisons are being used as cheap labour,the new call centres.

The US is truly a world leader when it comes to imprisoning its own population:

The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world at 737 persons imprisoned per 100,000. A report released 2/28/08 indicates that in the United States more than 1 in 100 adults is now confined in an American jail or prison. The United States has 5% of the world's population and 25% of the world's incarcerated population.

In recent decades the U.S. has experienced a surge in its prison population, quadrupling since 1980, partially as a result of mandated sentences that came about during the "war on drugs" and despite the decline in violent crime and property crime since the early 1990s.

Currently, considering local jails as well, almost one million of those incarcerated are in prison for non-violent crime.

Some have criticized the United States for incarcerating a large number of non-violent and victimless offenders;half of all persons incarcerated under state jurisdiction are for non-violent offences, and 20% are incarcerated for drug offences. "Human Rights Watch believes the extraordinary rate of incarceration in the United States wreaks havoc on individuals, families and communities, and saps the strength of the nation as a whole."

The United States spends an estimated $60 billion each year on corrections. The population of inmates housed in prisons and jails in the United States exceeds 2 million, with the per capita incarceration population higher than that officially reported by any other country. Because of its size and influence, the U.S. prison industry is often referred to as the prison-industrial complex.

In recent years, there has been much debate over the privatization of prisons. The argument for privatization stresses cost reduction, whereas the arguments against it focus on standards of care, and the question of whether a market economy for prisons might not also lead to a market demand for prisoners (tougher sentencing for cheap labor). While privatized prisons have only a short history, there is a long tradition of inmates in state and federal-run prisons undertaking active employment in prison for low pay.

The three leading corporations in the private prison business in the U.S. are the Corrections Corporation of America, the GEO Group, and Cornell Companies.

Prisons in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**November Rain** · 02-04-2008, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Originally Posted by November Rain

When he started smoking pot, there was some sort of chemical reaction in his brain, leading him to develop schizophrenia and OCD

I've seen this research; all it proves is that those already pre-disposed to schizophrnia shouldn't smoke pot (or do any other kind of stimulant/depressant).

Dutch Research Questions Marijuana Schizophrenia Link
August 20, 2004

Three Dutch researchers contend that there is insufficient data to support the conclusion that cannabis use could induce schizophrenia. The Dutch government had cited such research to support its efforts to curb marijuana-selling coffee shops, Reuters reported Aug. 19.The scientists said the negative effect of marijuana use occurs only in people already genetically predisposed to the mental illness. "It is therefore advisable that youngsters with a family history of schizophrenia and patients with a schizophrenic disorder be discouraged from using cannabis," the report said.

After past research showed a link between marijuana and schizophrenia, the Dutch government tightened its law on selling marijuana in government-regulated coffee shops. The new law also banned alcohol in coffee shops this year and calls for a ban on smoking in 2005. As a result, the number of cannabis cafes in the Netherlands has significantly declined.

As a result of their findings, the researchers concluded that, "there is no justification for the proposed closure of coffee shops."

The report appears in this week's Magazine for Psychiatry, a peer-reviewed journal.

Dutch Research Questions Marijuana Schizophrenia Link

I believe that I already said that it was only risky for some individuals, in the post you quoted from.

Originally Posted by me

Seemingly, it's not uncommon for things like this to happen (although of course it doesn't happen to every pot user, the same as not everyone who tries alcohol becomes an alcoholic - depends how you're wired).

I was actually talking from experience. The research just backed up what I'd seen.

BTW, love your sentence that I've highlighted in red!
'So, children, if you are thinking of partaking of the odd joint, be sure to go & see your mental health professional first, to make sure you're not predisposed to schizophrenia. Otherwise you could be in for a rather nasty shock!'

Think it's usually the pot that comes first & then the discovery of the predisposition.

**sabang** · 02-04-2008, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by blackgang

^ And then you wonder why so many Brits do not live there any more and wonder why it is such a fucked up place, and then have the audacity to make a post like that.

Not sure how to break this to you BG, but they smoke like a lot of Pot in the States too, y'know.

**Bugs** · 02-04-2008, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

If you were falsely accused, or found guilty of some minor offense, guilty until proving yourself innocent and then subjected to these conditions I bet you wouldn't be so happy about them.

It's prison - guilty or falsely convicted, major or minor offense, no one should be happy to be there. It aint' summer camp.

Like I said IMO prison is for punishment.

**blackgang** · 02-04-2008, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by sabang

Not sure how to break this to you BG, but they smoke like a lot of Pot in the States too, y'know.

Thats right, and a lot of em go to jail too,, but he was talking about UK, not USA..
Fact, here is his post.

In the U.K lots of people enjoy a smoke, and that includes teachers, doctors and even policemen. Most of them are sensible and you would never know unless you were mates with them, however there are always a few who turn into the typical long haired hippie style druggy. Same with alcohol though, only some people can't control themselves. Personally I think it should be legalised but then I don't make the rules and it's not my country to suggest they should change them, so I agree with the position that if you do the crime do the time.

Originally Posted by Bugs

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky If you were falsely accused, or found guilty of some minor offense, guilty until proving yourself innocent and then subjected to these conditions I bet you wouldn't be so happy about them.

Originally Posted by Bugs

It's prison - guilty or falsely convicted, major or minor offense, no one should be happy to be there. It aint' summer camp. Like I said IMO prison is for punishment.

So he answered your question and any others that are trying to wiggle out by saying it is about prison guards and not prisons as a thread topic, if you do not want to be in prison, then don't break the laws..I am sure that I don't want to be in any prison, regardless of treatment..

Originally Posted by Scooter

Quote: Originally Posted by blackgang In some parts of the US prisons system, the prisoners are made to work and earn or supply parts of their own food, lodging and make some money to supplement the money that is spent

"Scooter' Umm and the profits go to private companies not back to the tax payer. Prisons are being used as cheap labour,the new call centres.

Some are, but I see that you have never wandered around Texas where most all prisoners are required to work on farms, Dairys or in some prison factorys..and there are also other states the same way.
But yes, some are run by private industry,, but not here and thats what the thread is about..

**blackgang** · 02-04-2008, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

The three leading corporations in the private prison business in the U.S. are the Corrections Corporation of America, the GEO Group, and Cornell

HB, that whole post is off topic as the thread is about Thai Prison guards and not about how many law breakers and prisons in the USA..

**Mid** · 23-01-2012, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by sabang

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Originally Posted by sabang

HB- heres a link to a real visit to a falang prisoner in Bankwang:-

A Visit To Bangkwang Central Prison Bangkok Thailand

^ The article you posted is by Stickman (without pictures or video) and in it he states:

Martin had been a pleasant guy, who like me was able to empathise with Michael, although, neither of us approved of how he came by his misfortune. But we were both in agreement, he did not deserve to be doing 99 years in jail...

Had Michael Connell been smuggling heroin, crack cocaine, explosives or weapons I would have no sympathy for him. But ecstasy, which is what he was smuggling, is not a dangerous drug in my opinion, and I think the sentence should reflect that...

I understand that my opinion may offend some people, but ecstasy has never actually killed anyone. Those few who have died while trying it did not have the information that they needed, namely drink plenty of water, and get as little exercise as possible.

I presume you disagree with the italicized parts?

No, I agree with them. But the topic I'm addressing is how prisoners, particularly falang prisoners, are treated in Thai jails- not how or why they got there.

I don't think it is as bad as commonly stated, and conditions in Bankwang, the High Security prison don't seem all that bad. Your post of standing room only in a shit smeared cell seems pretty exaggerated, unless it was some police holding cell.

Family calls for Thailand drug smuggler to be released
23 January 2012

Michael Connell has served eight years at the notorious "Bangkok Hilton" jail

The family of a man with learning difficulties jailed for smuggling ecstasy into Thailand are campaigning for him to be released from custody.

Michael Connell, of Bury in Greater Manchester, was stopped at Bangkok airport in November 2003 with 3,400 pills hidden in facial cream jars.

He pleaded guilty in 2004 and was sentenced to 99 years, reduced to 20.

He has returned to the UK to serve the rest of his sentence. He served eight years in Bangkok Klong Prem prison.

Mr Connell's father Derek said his son had become involved with drug dealers in his neighbourhood who had offered him a holiday to Thailand if he took the pills with him.

Customs officials found the ecstasy tablets in Connell's travel bag after they were detected by an X-ray scan at the airport.

The pills had an estimated street value of $85,000 according to the Thai customs department.

'Naive kid'

He was jailed for 99 years but had his sentence reduced to 30 on appeal and has been further reduced to 20.

His father said he understood his son would have to serve half of the remaining sentence, six years, in the UK.

He is currently being held at Wandsworth prison in south-west London and his father is expecting him to be transferred to Whitemore in Cambridgeshire.

Mr Connell senior said his son was a "naive kid with learning difficulties. He was stupid to do it - he knows he was stupid to do it".

He added: "Michael's done his eight years. I think he has done long enough.

"I am going to do whatever I can to get his sentence reduced or even quashed if I can and get him out."

bbc.co.uk

**watdog** · 23-01-2012, 07:41 PM

an oldie but a goodie.

no. but they always will be. an asian thing.

i dont fuk with drugs here. ever. aint worth it.

**dirtydog** · 23-01-2012, 07:51 PM

I understand that my opinion may offend some people, but ecstasy has never actually killed anyone.

Killed a friend of mine about 25 years ago, he was 27 at the time.

**watdog** · 23-01-2012, 07:54 PM

really? od or bad batch or?

FarangRed · 23-01-2012, 08:29 PM

Well I have to say I'm surprised to see he got out of Thailand after 8 years, I thought he would have done at least 15, because by his own admission this was not the first time he had smuggled drugs into Thailand.

I remember the story very well as I lived in Bury for a long time, my daughter was born there.

**hazz** · 23-01-2012, 08:32 PM

^^people die from overheating and from drinking too much water.

from what I understand alcohol users are about 100 times more likely to die from an alcohol related death than an ecstasy user die from ecstasy.

^He is still doing time in a UK prison

FarangRed · 23-01-2012, 08:39 PM

He spent his life after leaving school selling drugs outside schools so his learning difficulties we're not that bad, like his father says he got in with the wrong people, yeah right a bunch of fuking paki's who he brought the drugs over here for in Pattaya

**billy the kid** · 23-01-2012, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Spin

Originally Posted by kingwilly

the punishment is the curtailment of their freedom, not their mistreatment.

nailed it nicely.

the 'quality of mercy' is not strained.

**Frankenstein** · 02-02-2012, 10:46 AM

Rummaging in lugubrious catacombs, yes, but would one pose this to be of sufficient gravity to merit such a reaction? Indeed not, rather the profit or loss related to one's efforts in that regard would be indiscreetly rebuked by those who are not habitually imbibing or redistributing Bacchanalian nectars of a more widely stigmatised variety.

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