Phitsanulok prison chief transferred over inmate deaths

Phitsanulok prison chief transferred over inmate deaths

Phitsanulok prison, where four prisoners died of hyperthyroidism. The director has been found culpable and transferred to the Department of Corrections. (Photo by Chinnawat Singha)
Phitsanulok prison, where four prisoners died of hyperthyroidism. The director has been found culpable and transferred to the Department of Corrections. (Photo by Chinnawat Singha)

The director of Phitsanulok prison, where four prisoners died recently after suffering overactive thyroid disease, has been transferred to the Department of Corrections after being found negligent, Minister of Justice Somsak Thepsutin announced on Tuesday.

The ministry earlier set up a committee to investigate the deaths and found the Phitsanulok prison chief was at fault.

The Justice Minister said the director had been transferred to head office and two other positions were reshuffled so that suitable people filled the jobs.

"Hyperthyroidism is not deadly, but the deaths were a result of negligence and bad management. The inmates were not well taken care of and were not sent to see a doctor when they fell ill," he said.

A new prison director will be appointed later, he said. 

The secretary-general of the ministry has been ordered to call a meeting with prison directors to stress their responsibility.

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