Fashioning a new beginning
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Inmates create
items like wicker end tables, night stands and patio furniture
to sell at their annual fair, from June 28 to July 7 this
year. |
The 4th Annual Prison Products
Exhibition for Southern Thailand, featuring products made by inmates
at the 25 correctional facilities throughout the 14 southern provinces,
will be on show at Saphan Hin this year from June 28 to July 7.
The fair will open from 10 am to 9 pm daily, with a grand opening
ceremony starting at 6 pm on June 28 featuring performances by local
singers and food stalls from 80 restaurants around Phuket.
This is the fourth consecutive year the fair has been held.
The inmates who make the furniture
get to keep some of the profits made from the sale of the furniture
they create – money that they can put aside for when they are released
back into society.
For many prisoners taking part in the project, the sale of their
hand-fashioned products can help provide the confidence they will
need to help them pursue their dreams in life after prison – without
resorting to crime.
Phuket Provincial Prison Director Paisal Suwanraksa told the Gazette,
“We would like to show people the skills that the prisoners have
learned, and we want to help further develop those skills in production
and design.
“Most importantly, we want to change their behavior before they
leave here and return to society.”
Prisoners receive 50% of net income made on the products sold, he
said.
“They can keep this money to use
while they are in prison or they can give it to their families,”
he said.
“Our prisoners invest a lot of effort in their work, putting their
all into every piece that they create. If you visit the fair, you
will see that every unit of furniture shows how hard they have worked,”
K. Paisal said.
“After they leave here, they will be able to use all the skills
that they have learned in making furniture. We believe that they
have the capability,” he added.
“All prison officials and current inmates hope that people will
welcome prisoners back into society, because most prisoners are
not bad guys. They might have been blind to their mistakes. When
they are released we believe that they are ready to return to normal
lives,” K. Paisal said.
On sale at the fair will be furniture such as sofas, wardrobes,
beds and tables made from a variety of materials, including wood,
iron, marble and rattan.
A wide range of styles is available, including traditional Thai
and many unique design concepts developed by the inmates themselves.
Last year’s fair garnered six million baht in sales. Event organizers
hope to make more this year.
For more information about the fair call Phuket Provincial
Prison at 076-212104 ext 13.
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