Words from the warden on Aussie red shirt

[bobbyd]

The report headlined ''Aussie red shirt says he was beaten in jail'' (Bangkok Post, Sept 9, 2010) contained factual errors which could cause public misunderstanding and tarnish the reputation of the Department of Corrections.

First, the claim that Conor Purcell was attacked by seven other prisoners in an ''ordered assault'' in Bangkok Remand Prison was actually only a minor quarrel. The fact is that Mr Purcell was attacked by two other prisoners because during the daily count he had caused a disturbance with his rude manners, resulting in the attack. Prison authorities investigated the matter and disciplined all three prisoners by denying them visitation rights for one month.

Second is the allegation that Bangkok Remand Prison refused medical attention for Mr Purcell for almost two weeks after the attack. The prison conforms to the standard minimum rules regarding medical treatment for prisoners by treating all inmates equally and free of charge. In the case of Mr Purcell, he requested to meet the medical officer on May 27. But on May 26 he was moved to new accommodation for security reasons. Later on May 27, he refused to meet with the medical staff. It was assumed he needed to adjust himself to his new environment. He had his first contact with medical staff on May 31, following the long official holiday (May 28-30 on the occasion of Visakha Bucha).

Then Mr Purcell was transferred to the Medical Correctional Institution for further treatment.

Third, Mr Purcell claims he was kept in a cell with almost 40 prisoners, some of whom were convicted murderers. This observation was likely due to Mr Purcell's lack of knowledge about Thai legislation and the criminal justice system.

In fact, Bangkok Remand Prison is mainly responsible for keeping in custody all remand prisoners, which means prisoners who have yet to be sentenced and those awaiting appeal. According to the Constitution, they are all presumed innocent until the passing of judgement convicting a person of having committed an offence.

CHARTCHAI SUTHIKLOM
Director-general,
Department of Corrections

[troebal]

He doesn't deny anything because he sees nothing wrong with the actions and events mentioned. The prison system is as corrupt as anywhere else. Have a relative who is in prison for petty theft. 2 year sentence. Been there for 4 years now. Recently had his sentence extended by 2 years because he was found to have a mobile phone during a cell inspection one week before he was to be released. The phone was sold to him by a guard. Different guard found it. After his sentence was increased, the same guard came back and offered to sell him a new phone.

[modsquad]

'I chuckled when I read the letter from Chart-chai Suthiklom, director-general of the Department of Corrections, regarding the mistreated ''Aussie red shirt''.

First, Bangkok Post reported the story on Sept 8, 2010 and it took the director over two months to respond. The bright side is that the response came in the same year!

Second, Conor Purcell was in fact attacked by inmates _ not 7 inmates, though, only 2. The cause of the attack was his ''rude manners'' which the director did not specify. I guess ''rude manners'' probably means making eye contact with an inmate, or not bowing to senior inmates, or stepping on someone's shadow.

Third, I learn that prisoners in Thailand can't get medical treatment on holidays.

Finally, Purcell claimed he was kept in a cell with almost 40 prisoners, some of whom were convicted murderers. The director refuted this, saying his department doesn't keep ''convicted murderers'' in this prison. So, Purcell was in fact stuffed in a cell with almost 40 people.

I think the director has damaged the Thai prison system instead of clarifying the accusation of mistreatment.'

Mr Somsak Pola

[modsquad]

'Whilst I applaud the director-general of the Corrections Department for his comments regarding Australian Conor Purcell, I fail to see why anyone in authority in Thailand should have to explain the actions of their department to anyone. Purcell was/is a political agitator who sought 5 minutes of fame through the media, in his efforts to justify the actions of a group led by a convicted felon in exile. Purcell knew the ramifications prior to his political stance and deserved all that the Thai justice system awarded him.

These agitators only demean others, in particular their countrymen who come to Thailand in peace and harmony, but will now be seen, to some extent, to be an Aussie like Purcell. When Purcell arrived back in Australia, he was greeted by a handful of supporters who pronounced him a hero. This is a great accolade, coming from a small group of people who wouldn't know the difference between a peanut and a coconut.

As an Australian, I would like to apologise to the Thai authorities for having to put up with fools like Purcell and the Aussie female bar-mat thief Annice Smoles.' Brian Forlonge

[benp]

i have no sympathy for purcell whatsoever. for a start what was he doing interfering with thai politics in the first place. he is supposedly, australian and a visitor to this country. he had no right to be involved in thai politics! when he was sent to prison i expect he thought he would get special treatment because he was a farang! it doesnt work that way in prison...... you are just one convict among the rest of the people in there. he was imprisoned so he has to take the consequences.
i am a farang by the way

[modsquad]

by RogerRamjet on Fri Nov 12, 2010 4:11 pm

modsquad,
You can certainly take half truths, innuendo and rumour and take it to a whole new level.
The "agitators", as you call them, were calling for freedom of speech, free and fair elections, an end to corruption and equal treatment by the courts. Peace and harmony in Thailand? Why don't you read the Bangkok Post, look on the second and third page and look for the daily murder and mayhem in the south?
Are you trying to justify why Purcell received a severe beating in jail on orders from someone in authority? Are you saying that to deny him medical treatment for 3 days was part of his "punishment" for joining a group of protesters? Are you saying that Thai courts should only hand out half the sentence (deportation for over staying a visa) and the rest of the punishment should be at the hands of anyone in Thailand with authority?
As an Australian who has fought in Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam and served in the armed forces for 21 years, then worked as a prison officer for 9 years at the Central Industrial Prison (maximum security) at Long Bay I am appalled at the treatment of Purcell, not only by the Thai prison system, but also by the anonymous comments from the Australian Embassy (which has already censored the individual), the Thai courts and other authorities.
Purcell proved that there is no freedom of speech in Thailand.
Why don't you go to any of the parks in Australia on a Sunday modsquad? There you will find people from all countries having their say about everything they think is wrong with Australia and the world. I have never seen one of them arrested, let alone beaten in jail.

Ramjet,

The comments were made by Mr’s Pola and Forlonge respectively. Hence the quotation marks. I merely made them available to share with the readers. Their posts do not necessarily reflect my views and opinion.

Participating in a political demonstration of this nature is risky. More so, in a foreign land. It’s regrettable what Mr Conor had to endure after his arrest. I believe he used bad judgement by actively getting involved.

Cheerz

[Eric]

The government has a duty to probe into Purcell's allegation as the recent released Reds have also talk about the same attacks and poor conditions to the PM when they meet. Purcell is not an isolated case and there may be more than meets the eye. Better for the government to investigate now than when the 50 odd reds held without convictions will be released on bail and will certainly open up.

[benp]

rogerramjet, if you want to make purcell out to be a hero and martyr you have every right to do so! i am certainly not against freedom of speech or anyones right to express their opinion whatever that opinion might be. if i was i would be living in places like iran, certainly not in thailand.
correct me if i am wrong but i am going by the news in the bangkok post and the internet. when all this started for purcell it was reported that the man told a pack of lies about his background, didnt possess an australian passport at the time, had no fixed address, came here on a tourist visa, lived a hand to mouth existence and through the goodness of his friends.
this information was backed by the australian embassy in bangkok. am i right so far? now if you or the thai people dont mind someone like that standing up for them then i guess i am in the wrong!
i have always maintained that as a visitor to any country one should keep out of the politics of that country! as a long term resident in thailand i do express my opinion on a number of issues, mostly to friends and relatives and here!. i certainly wouldnt physically join in any political demonstration! perhaps purcell is to be admired for his courage or stupidity.

[benp]

rogerrammjet, i certainly hope that you can continue posting! i do like reading your comments though we tend to disagree on certain issues.
i would certainly not like anyone let alone farangs, taking their children to any political demonstrations.
going back to mr purcell and his being an ex member of the sas........ i presume it is the australian sas! im sorry to go on about this but i have been to a number of sites and they all seem to say the same thing ie, an ex irishman, he was alleged to be a reservist in the australian army for seven years.
anyway, no more comments from me on mr purcell but our postings on the man has been very informative and interesting.
keep up the good work roger!