Prison stirred up by Facebook pix

Prison stirred up by Facebook pix

An inmate in Phitsanulok Prison is being questioned after pictures of him in shackles were posted on a Facebook page.

Phongmit Prasertsakul, commander of the prison, was alerted by a local journalist to pictures of the inmate, identified as Marwin Samphanwong, 28, that were taken inside the prison. The pictures were displayed on a Facebook account registered under the name "Winner and Khun Noo Mayom".

BOUND FOR GLORY: Marwin on Facebook.

Mr Phongmit said Marwin had been convicted of rape and was serving a five-year jail term which will end on Nov 1. He is in Zone 5 of the prison.

The pictures, one of which shows him shackled at the ankles and squatting beside a prison locker, were believed to have been taken with a mobile phone camera. Mobile phones are banned in the prison.

Mr Phongmit said Marwin claimed he had borrowed his friend's phone to take the photo.

A search at the jail failed to locate the phone and further investigations are under way.

The prison chief said Marwin's jail term would be extended by one to two years for his guilt.

He insisted the prison has in place strict measures to prevent the smuggling of communication devices.

These include putting up a large net around the compound to prevent any device from being thrown over the prison walls.

A source at the prison said smartphones are sold among inmates for upwards of 100,000 baht - iPhones sell for 170,000 baht each.

The Facebook page has several photos of the prisoners, causing red faces at the warden's office.

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