The Corrections Department will allow video-call visits at five prisons in a pilot project to be expanded nationwide if successful.
Under the electronic visit programme, an inmate and his relative can talk face-to-face via a Line video call.
Director-general Naras Savestanan said on Monday the electronic visit programme was being tested at prisons in Phitsanulok, Rayong, Chiang Mai, Khlong Pai (Nakhon Ratchasima province) and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
“The department allowed a conference call 10 years ago but was scrapped due to technical problems. With faster connections and the proliferation of social media today, we think it’s about time to relaunch it,” he said.
The trial will last 1-2 months and if the results are satifactory, the programme will be expanded to other prisons.
Before joining the programme, a relative of an inmate must first register with ID card or house registration at the department. His or her name will then be sent to the inmate’s prison to check visit rights and verify their relationship, a process taking 1-2 days.
