[:th]CrCF Logo[:]

Klongpai Central Prison- Reflection

Share

33398352_1982057578472200_2352981185820360704_n

On May 24th, 2018, I attended the final art class for prisoners of Klongpai Central Prison, a high security prison in Thailand. Around fifty-five prisoners participated in the two and half month  long art program designed to help inmates build skills and contribute to their quality of life. This was my first time in a prison and we were restricted to the educational area created for inmates. 33401823_1982064918471466_8234206150501859328_o

This area of the massive prison compound had gardens, a library and an outside area where the inmates, sitting cross-legged on the floor, worked on their art pieces. Because it was the last day of the art classes, the art teachers instructed the inmates to do draw or paint whatever they chose instead of the specific projects assigned to them throughout the course. As the inmates began to draw or paint on the floor, it was easy to forget that we were within a “super max” prison designed for drug offenders and violent criminals. Many of the men were covered in tattoos from head to toe with some who had face tattoos. This intimidating sight was contrasted by the fact that many of the men seemed shy about their art while they joked around and teased each other.

33455461_1982064931804798_2389451436757876736_o

We interviewed several inmates who all talked about how positive their experience in the program had been and how they were proud to have participated. There was a wide range of abilities ranging from the very beginner to some truly talented artists. As one inmate sulked about how his drawing didn’t turn out the way he had hoped and another inmate painted his friend’s head, it felt more like an elementary school art class than a state prison. After the inm33356338_1982064241804867_710442377361227776_oates had finished their pieces, the Department of Corrections officers presented participants with a certificate and as they viewed their certificates the participants beamed with pride. It was only when, out of the corner of my eye, I would see uniformed officials carrying three-foot long bamboo sticks that I would remember we were in a prison setting.

33356338_1982065655138059_4180931249956716544_o

 

At the end of the day the inmates were lined up and counted and then marched back to their prison cells and I wondered what their every day conditions were like.

It made me conscious that, despite whatever crime they had committed, it was important that inmates were given as many chances for rehabilitation as possible and that they were treated with dignity.

TAG

RELATED ARTICLES