Inmates ‘fled overcrowding’

NARATHIWAT: Two of 16 inmates who broke free from a temporary prison in Tak Bai district on Friday turned themselves in to authorities late on Saturday night, complaining the facility was overcrowded.

The families of Faison Dueramae and Sulgiflee Yakor contacted Narathiwat governor Suraporn Prommoon on Saturday night to inform him that they would bring in the jail-breakers.

Shortly after, the pair surrendered to authorities at Narathiwat provincial prison, a day after they escaped from the Khok Yamoo temporary prison on the Tak BaiNarathiwat road in tambon Praiwan. The governor also called on the families and friends of the remaining 14 inmates to talk them into giving themselves up.

According to Mr Suraporn, the escapees claimed they broke out of the jail because they could not handle the overcrowded facility. The facility housed 122 inmates when the jailbreak was staged.

The chaos erupted after dinner when a warder unlocked an iron gate to let four inmates out to take dishes to the washing area.

The temporary prison was originally built to accommodate 30 inmates who committed drug offences and were required to undergo a short-term rehab programme.

“The problem in part is because there is not enough to hold them. The number of drug offenders is on the rise,” he said.

Sompong Sanitmatjaro, the provincial prison chief, admitted there were inadequate resources to look after over 120 inmates.