Cabinet approval will be sought to spend 178 million baht from the central fund to help ease overcrowding at 93 prisons across the country, Corrections Department chief Naras Savestanan said on Wednesday.
Pol Col Naras said Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin told a meeting of senior executives on Wednesday that he has informed the cabinet of the problem and will table a proposed solution.
The plan is for a steel mezzanine level to be built in the existing sleeping quarters, in addition to the existing sleeping floor, to provide more space for inmates to sleep.
At next week's cabinet meeting, Mr Somsak would seek approval to draw 178 million baht from the central fund to build the mezzanine floors at 93 prisons throughout the country.
A survey will also be made to determine the capacity of each prison and whether it is overcrowded. If so, inmates could be moved to other prisons, as deemed suitable, Pol Col Narat said.