THAI PRISON USES VEGETARIAN DIET, MEDITATION TO REFORM DRUG OFFENDERS

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Inmates at a Thai prison responded so positively
to an Indian guru's vegetarian diet and meditation course, the Corrections
Department plans to expand the program nationwide, Thai officials said Monday.

The inmates -- 50 men and 50 women serving time for drug offenses at a
prison in provincial Thailand -- participated in a program in which they
practiced meditation at 4:30 a.m., ate vegetarian meals and listened to
tapes of chanting.

"We found that it changed the behavior of the prisoners, it made them aware
of right and wrong," said Surang Ekkachote of Thailand's Office of
Correctional Inspectors.

Ten-day courses were taught to the inmates by followers of Indian guru S.
N. Goenka.

The trial program at the Klong Pai Prison in Nakorn Ratchasima province,
about 130 miles northeast of Bangkok, proved so popular that most
participants continued their daily meditation after completing the course,
Surang said.

The Corrections Department plans to expand the program to prisons in other
regions, she said.

She said she was inspired to allow the program after watching a videotape
of inmates meditating at an Indian prison.

"The program began with people convicted in drug-related cases but we plan
to expand it to all kinds of prisoners in the future," Surang said.