Facility Improvement in a Thai Prison through Decentralized Management and Alternative Funding

• Published date: 01 December 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/00328855241286503
• Author: Sunaree Lawanyawatna,Martin Schoch
• Date: 01 December 2024
• Subject Matter: Articles

Facility Improvement in

a Thai Prison through

Decentralized

Management and

Alternative Funding

Sunaree Lawanyawatna

1

and Martin Schoch

1

Abstract

Thai correctional institutions face budget constraints that hinder facility

improvements. This study proposes a decentralized management approach

using in-kind donations rather than central funding. The strategy includes

partnering with manufacturers for rejected but usable materials and reusing

excess construction materials from nearby projects. Benef‌its include tax

breaks, lower disposal costs, improved prison facilities, inmates’skill devel-

opment, and environmental sustainability. A case study at the Thonburi

Detention Center showed signif‌icant improvements at lower costs. Future

research involves ref‌ining the approach with service design principles, a dig-

ital exchange platform, and introducing environmental credits to enhance

participation and impact.

Keywords

decentralized management, in-kind donations, prison rehabilitation sustainable

construction, circular economy

1

King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand

Corresponding Author:

Martin Schoch, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, 49 Soi Thian Thale 25, Bang

Kung Thian Chai Thale Road, Tha Kham Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok 10150, Thailand.

Email: martin.sch@kmutt.ac.th

Article

The Prison Journal

2024, Vol. 104(6) 718–739

© 2024 SAGE Publications

Article reuse guidelines:

sagepub.com/journals-permissions

DOI: 10.1177/00328855241286503

journals.sagepub.com/home/tpj

Introduction

Correctional facilities in Thailand often grapple with f‌inancial constraints

that impede essential improvements to their infrastructure (Kuanliang &

Chokprajakchat, 2014). Traditional budget allocation processes, character-

ized by limitations, frequently leave crucial refurbishment of facilities in

peril. Despite the evident deterioration of systems and structures, facility man-

agement’s focus on improvement often remains a low priority. Submitting

government budget proposals entails a lengthy process, spanning 1–2

years, involving detailed drawings, measurements, and quantity specif‌ica-

tions. Consequently, budgets seldom arrive when needed.

This study proposes a decentralized management approach that leverages

in-kind donations to address these challenges. By sourcing materials through

donations from construction companies or manufacturers and repurposing

material waste from construction sites, medium-security prison facilities

can be improved by involving inmates trained in construction skills. This

strategy reduces waste management costs for construction companies,

provides them with tax benef‌its, and empowers prisons to make necessary

improvements independently of centralized budgets.

Inmates benef‌it signif‌icantly from this approach by gaining valuable

training in construction crafts that improve their rehabilitation prospects

and employability post-release. This practical experience updates the prison

facility and contributes to incarcerees’personal development, enhancing

their reintegration prospects into society.

Previous research has highlighted the challenges correctional facilities

face in Thailand regarding infrastructure improvements (Kuanliang &

Chokprajakchat, 2014). However, the potential of decentralized management

approaches, leveraging in-kind donations from construction companies,

remains relatively unexplored. This study aims to address this gap by exam-

ining the effectiveness of a decentralized approach in improving the

infrastructure of Thai correctional institutions.

This study’s methodology involves a qualitative approach applying pri-

marilty an observational research design. The investigation will be conducted

at a selected correctional facility in Thailand, focusing on implementing the

proposed decentralized management approach. Data collection will occur

through direct observation of the construction process and communication

with facility managers, inmates, and representatives from partnering construc-

tion companies. The analysis of relevant documentation records will provide

further insights into the management process.

Thai correctional institutions can overcome f‌inancial constraints and

upgrade their infrastructure by adopting a decentralized management

Lawanyawatna and Schoch 719