DRUG PRISONERS TRAINED FOR FUTURE CAREER

Rear Admiral says, "they are not that bad"

Prisoners jailed for drug offences are learning to be farmers with the help
of the navy's Civilians Development School.

The project gives the prisoners something other than drugs to look forward
to on their release, and the navy's part-time teachers are earning some
extra income.

Prisoners from many prisons have taken part in the vocational training
program that focuses on agricultural careers.

The navy has a policy of supporting part-time careers for officials and
their families to increase their income. This will reduce debt problems.

Rear Admiral Thana Boonnak, commander-in-chief of the Air Force and Coast
Defense Unit, said that these prisoners were not bad in themselves.

"They just once made a mistake and were misguided. But when they gather in
this school, they seriously follow the rules and regulations. Here they can
express their talents and specialize in various careers.

"This program, therefore, will help them find an appropriate career when
they are released. This vocational training program places emphasis on an
occupation in the field of agriculture, aiming at implanting in them the
idea of a sustainable economy.

"They will learn to live properly and not turn to drugs again," he said.