GPS chips mooted for inmates' shackles

GPS chips mooted for inmates' shackles

The Department of Corrections has floated the idea of fitting microchips into leg shackles to help authorities track down inmates who manage to escape while being transported to court hearings.

Pol Col Naras Savestanan, the department director-general, said inmates have to wear leg shackles on their way to court but the number of those trying to flee is increasing and so the department is considering putting tracking devices into the shackles.

Eleven cases of inmates trying to break out of prison or escaping while being escorted to court hearings took place last year, he said.

Pol Col Naras denied concerns the measure would be in violation of human rights, saying it will only be used on inmates who pose a high flight risk.

He said if the microchips are used in conjunction with mobile communications and drone technology, authorities will be able to monitor and track down escapees within an hour.

He added the department will next week sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Defence Ministry's Defence Technology Institute (DTI) on the use of its technologies to keep tabs on the 380,000 inmates being detained nationwide.

He said the agency is interested in the DTI's research on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and anti-UAV technologies which could be used to prevent delivery of contraband goods to inmates in prison.

Pol Col Naras said the department is also proceeding with its plan to develop areas of some temporary detention facilities into tourist attractions. Several of these facilities currently serve as agricultural education centres.

Khao Rakam prison in Trat, and Thung Benja prison in Chanthaburi are being studied for the plan, he said, adding a working panel will visit and survey the facilities with forestry officials this week.

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