The Justice Ministry will put a proposal to cabinet next week for funding to build 17 low-cost, minimum security prisons to house and retrain inmates nearing release at the end of their sentences, permanent secretary for justice Chanchao Chaiyanukij said on Monday.
Mr Chanchao said the ministry would request a budget of 1.4 billion baht for the so-called "light infrastructure prisons", planned under policy set down by Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya.
The proposal is to build 17 knockdown prisons by using remodelled shipping containers as accommodation. Each prison would comprise cells and an office. It would be built immediately outside the prison wall, but still in the same compound where the prison is located.
Inmates would also receive occupational training and coaching to prepare them for a return to society.
The estimated cost is 50 million baht for each "light prison". The 1.4 billon baht budget covers the cost of the 17 knockdown prisons and training courses for officials. Traditional prisons cost around 1.7 billion baht each.
The planned facilities are intended for inmates who have only six months to one year remaining of their sentence and have a good conduct record. The structures will not be surrounded with walls, but by an electrified fence.
The intention is for inmates not to repeat their offences, to be able to fit back into society, and have the skills to earn a living.
The facilities will be under the supervision of the Probation Department, which will also prepare centres for the inmates to stay in shortly before their release.
The Corrections Department will provide warders to train the inmates.