Amid the threat from the Covid-19 pandemic and as a way to solve prison overcrowding, the Justice Ministry is considering releasing more inmates whose jail terms will be completed within one year.
Electronic monitoring (EM) bracelets will be attached to inmates due to be released.
Currently, about 20,000 inmates are eligible for the programme and are expected to be released within the first quarter of next year.
Supreme Court president Metinee Chalodhorn and Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin are in talks to expedite the EM process. Meanwhile, 20,000 EM devices will be ready for use, in addition to the 10,000 currently in use.
Nattawut Saikuar, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, and 76 other prisoners were released…
