The Department of Corrections has opened Klong Prem Central Prison to the media to showcase the care provided to transgender inmates, ensuring adherence to international standards. The facility features separate sleeping and bathroom facilities to prevent harassment and ensure safety.
Sahakarn Phetnarin, Director-General of the Department of Corrections, led the media tour at Zone 1 of the prison. The prison houses just over 1,000 inmates, including 64 transgender individuals. These inmates are categorized into three groups: 14 post-operative transgender inmates, those who have not undergone surgery but do not conform to their birth gender physically, and 41 individuals who have not undergone surgery and exhibit no physical changes but are segregated due to the risk of sexual assault.
Zone 1 features a two-story building with 90 rooms. Five small rooms are designated for pre-operative transgender inmates, two small rooms for post-operative transgender inmates, and one large room for the general transgender population. The small rooms accommodate 12 inmates each, while the large room holds 24 inmates. A single private bathroom is available for post-operative transgender inmates. Inmates acknowledged improved care and increased safety.
In addition to vocational training and education, activities include regular sessions with prison psychologists to address mental health needs. Thailand’s prison system, with over 300,000 inmates nationwide, includes more than 900 transgender individuals. Since 2022, the care for transgender inmates has been formalized to meet international standards, with separate sleeping and bathroom facilities and designated hospital areas for safety and harassment prevention.
The Department of Corrections aims to clearly segregate transgender inmates, similar to Klong Prem Central Prison, but faces challenges due to space limitations and the relatively small number of transgender inmates. Currently, only Klong Prem Central Prison and Pattaya Remand Prison have distinct transgender inmate populations.
This initiative highlights Thailand’s commitment to providing humane and dignified treatment to all inmates, regardless of gender identity. (NNT)
