The mythical Bang Kwang Central Prison has made headlines again, but not for its intimidating reputation. This time, the spotlight shines on a harrowing tale of alleged sexual assault, stirring emotions and raising questions about inmate safety within those formidable walls. The Department of Correction (DoC) has promised to dig deeper into these allegations, following claims from an inmate who reported being drugged and raped by a cellmate earlier this year.
With the DoC releasing a statement on Sunday, denying any delay in addressing the complaint, the accused inmate has faced disciplinary action, and the victim has been relocated within the prison. This comes just days after renowned lawyer Nititorn Kaewto brought the victim’s ordeal to public attention through a Facebook post.
Nititorn revealed that the appalling incident occurred in January. The victim allegedly lost consciousness after consuming a seemingly innocent cup of coffee with his cellmates. Consciousness returned to him mid-assault, prompting a desperate cry to a sleeping cellmate for help. The victim subsequently reached out to Wichien Chubthaisong, the president of the Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT), in April, who in turn, mobilized the LCT’s Human Rights Cases Subcommittee to provide legal support. However, progress has been sluggish, with officers from the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Station citing a lack of manpower as a reason for the delay.
The DoC, however, refuted these claims, stating that an immediate investigation was set in motion upon receiving the complaint. The victim was promptly taken to the Bang Kwang Central Prison Hospital for thorough physical and psychological evaluations. The case was reported to the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Station on January 15. The DoC’s statement detailed that the perpetrator underwent disciplinary procedures while assuring that the victim had been transferred to a different prison wing for his safety.
Moreover, the DoC mentioned that psychological assessments of the victim returned normal, and he was not subjected to bullying by other inmates, contradicting Mr. Nititorn’s accusations. The department underscored their adherence to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, famously known as the Mandela Rules, which aim to ensure a humane and secure environment for prisoners.
On the police front, Pol Col Jaturon Anurakbundit, superintendent of the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Station, confirmed receiving the assault report and expressed his commitment to expediting the investigation.
This distressing episode at Bang Kwang Central Prison has underscored the critical need for vigilance and stringent safeguards within correctional facilities. As the investigation unfurls, it remains to be seen how efficacious the measures in place truly are, and whether justice will prevail for the victim in this troubling tale from behind bars.
This is outrageous! How can something like this happen in a prison that’s supposed to be secure?
Prison system needs a complete overhaul. The safety of inmates should be the top priority.
I agree, but it’s not just about the prison system. The entire criminal justice system is flawed.
I’m skeptical. Maybe the victim made it up to get attention.
How can you say that? No one would make up something so traumatic.
Victims often are not believed, and this distrust only makes it harder for real victims to come forward.
Why are people so shocked? Prisons have always been dangerous places.
It’s not about being shocked, it’s about demanding better conditions and safeguards.
What a sad state of affairs. Even prisoners deserve to be treated with basic human dignity.
Honestly, if you do the crime, you do the time. Maybe he deserved it.
Are you serious? No one deserves to be assaulted, no matter what they’ve done.
That’s such a cruel thing to say. Every human being has rights, even prisoners.
Sure, tell that to their victims. Maybe they didn’t have any rights either.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. The justice system is meant to rehabilitate, not perpetuate violence.
This is why NGO oversight in prisons is essential. Who knows how often these things happen unnoticed?
Good point. Transparency and external checks can make a huge difference.
NGOs can help, but we shouldn’t rely on them alone. The system itself has to change.
The police saying they lack manpower is a poor excuse. This victim deserves justice.
Agreed. If they can’t protect inmates, how can they protect the public?
Only when incidents like these get publicized do authorities take action. It’s all for show.
So true. Social media has become a tool for accountability in these situations.
Let’s not jump to conclusions. We need a thorough investigation to know what really happened.
The Mandela Rules are supposed to ensure humane treatment. Clearly, they’re not being followed properly.
Unfortunately, rules on paper don’t always translate to actions in practice.
We don’t know all the facts yet. The authorities should be given a chance to complete their investigation.
People should be held accountable, from the inmates to the prison staff. No exceptions.
I can’t believe the victim had to wait three months to get legal support! It’s unacceptable.