Suppakorn Tangtrasit is a barista who is happy to work extra hours to learn something new. With his positive attitude and willingness to challenge himself with difficult tasks, he seems like an employee that any company would like to have. However, a former convict and a drug dealer who was in and out of prison three times, the repeat offender isn't welcome in many companies and even his own family, who don't want him to use the family name anymore.
"After I walked out of prison, I had a job as an assistant manager at a restaurant. A regional manager accepted me, but after the restaurant manager found out about my background, he pressured me. My family always helped me out even though I was a convict several times. This time, they rejected me by asking me to change my last name. It was a turning point. I felt bad for everyone around me. I'm done with what I did in the past."
Eventually, Suppakorn was able to turn over a new leaf after being introduced to a project called Okas.
Okas, which translates as Chance, was founded by Samira Thancharoenkit and Phathumrut Intarapong in 2018. The project helps former convicts find jobs. Phathumrut always wants to help people. She taught laughter yoga to convicts in prison because this kind of yoga let them connect with others through laughter. She believes Thai society hasn't provided enough chances to former convicts and wanted to help them.
"I wanted to contribute to society by using my abilities. I was delighted to do something without expecting to make profits. My goal is to develop people's potentials. I believe it will be a long-term benefit. And convicts are a group of people who don't receive support from any organisation except from the Department of Corrections," said Samira.
"I wanted to help people," added Phathumrut. "I talked to an inmate who was about to leave prison after living there for a decade. She asked me what she was going to do outside prison. She thought the prison was her home. I realised if she thought it was home, she probably wanted to return to prison again in case living outside didn't give her a good future."
People may judge former convicts before working with them or getting to know them, but the founders of Okas believe that everyone has their good side and that human beings all make mistakes.
Former convict Suppakorn Tangtrasit found a job as a barista. Suppakorn Tangtrasit
"There are different factors causing people's actions. If we are in their shoes, we may do the same thing. Nobody wants to be a bad person. They have their own reasons. If we can understand them, we can be open-minded towards them," Samira said.
In 2018, the Department of Corrections reported the recidivism rate after releasing more than 110,000 convicts from prisons. Of this number, more than 15,000 former convicts or around 14% committed crimes again in one year. Over two years, there were over 25,000 repeat offenders. And over three years, over 26,000 former offenders broke the law. This high rate shows that former convicts face obstacles in readjusting to society.
"We discussed with people who had experience with enhancing the potential of former convicts and discovered they had a difficult time to adjust themselves before going to prison. They couldn't live their lives by obeying rules in a society. Factors that led to them causing problems could be how they were raised and what kind of neighbourhoods they grew up in. With those attitudes, they were in prisons which is not a normal society. After being released, they would face problems to adjust to a new society," said Samira.
Phathumrut said some convicts stayed in prisons for a long time. When they leave prison, things have changed. They find themselves alienated to other people. Suppakorn agreed.
"Former convicts have their familiar behaviour. They used to use drugs or did something to earn money easily. They want to do it again. I recommended my friend a job and on the first day of work, he was arrested. They also have a hard time connecting with others while they can communicate with other former convicts," said Suppakorn.
To get help from Okas, former convicts need to file an application online. After a screening process, Okas will connect an applicant with a company.
Former convicts can apply for jobs at Facebook: OKASThailand. facebook.com/OKASThailand
"They [former convicts] have to submit job applications like others. Companies in our network will consider their abilities. Their background in prisons won't cause them to be rejected. A representative of a company will see if an applicant suits the company. After an applicant works at the company, we will receive feedback from both employees and companies," said Phathumrut.
Suppakorn is one of the successful cases at Okas.
"People at Okas saw my determination. My workplace is perfect. I love this job. I had never met a very kind boss like this before. My colleagues respect my opinion even though I have less experience than them," Suppakorn said.
After two years, Okas has helped 10 people to get a job. Okas connects former convicts to a variety of careers -- from salespersons, drivers to mechanics. They also helped 10 other former convicts in the countryside find a job or to run their own business in their home province. Twenty people may seem to be a small number but looking at Suppakorn, it is worthwhile to see such life-changing moments.
Unlike Suppakorn, not everyone was happy with their jobs. Some former convicts found it was difficult to live a normal life.
"Former convicts have their own obstacles. Some feel it was difficult to live a life where they make little money, while others are used to easy money. They felt exhausted. We have to keep in touch with them after sending them to work. If they have any problem, they can consult with us," Phathumrut said.
In the future, Okas founders hope to have more jobs for applicants.
"We are a small project. We want to move forward, but we don't want to have more quantity, but quality. If we send unqualified applicants to companies, it will cause negative images for former convicts. We would like to grow slowly. If any companies or entrepreneurs are interested to give chances to applicants who have lots of potential, please contact us. Many applicants from Okas really dedicate themselves to working after they get a job," Samira said.
"I would like society to give us a chance," said Suppakorn, the barista. "So we can bounce back and don't have to return to prison again."
For more information and an application form, visit facebook.com/OKASThailand.
