Ex-cons get second chance with 47 skills certificates

Prisoners practise making gold jewellery at a factory in Pathum Thani province. (Photo by Pongpat Wongyala)

The Corrections Department will allow prisoners to apply for professional qualifications in 47 occupations in a bid to reduce the number of recidivists.

The announcement was made after the Justice Ministry and the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) Wednesday at an event presided over by Justice Minister Prajin Juntong.

Justice Ministry permanent secretary Wisit Wisitsoraat said having a professional certificate approved by the TPQI will improve ex-cons' prospects on the job market.

"Support from the government and TPQI to develop work-related skills for prisoners in high-demand occupations will reduce the likelihood of them re-offending," he said.

Corrections Department chief Narat Sawettanan said inmates already receive skills training in 72 professions such as carpentry, air-conditioning maintenance and massage therapy.

Despite this, he said most prisoners are unable to find jobs after they are released because they lack professional certification.

"If they remain unemployed, the likelihood of them falling into their old ways is high," Pol Col Narat said.

TPQI experts will work with the department to develop training programmes and provide skills assessments. Only inmates that pass the tests will receive certificates, he said.

"With these documents, employers will be less inclined to reject applications from former prisoners, as they guarantee the applicant can perform the tasks required for the job," he said.

According to the Corrections Department, the number of recidivists has risen annually for the past three years.

In 2015, the rate was 17%. It jumped to 25% in 2016 and 33% last year.

Over this period about 200,000 former inmates have been imprisoned again, most of them for drug crimes.

There are approximately 350,000 criminals incarcerated in Thailand, according to the department.