ABSTRACT
In Thailand, crime is regarded as a social threat. Adult offenders are placed under the care and control of the Department of Corrections while juvenile offenders are overseen by the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection. Offender rehabilitation is guided by principles of behavioural modification with the goal being to return reformed people to their communities. Rehabilitation and reformative activities include education and occupational rehabilitation and there is a heavy emphasis on religious programmes supported by the Thai Royal Family. People with mental illness who have offended may receive medical treatments or supervision on probation by multidisciplinary teams instead of, or during imprisonment. These treatments are based on the bio-psychosocial model with the purpose of treating every aspect of the person's problems. The goal is to facilitate a return to healthy functioning and to prevent recidivism. Medical resources, medical professionals, materials, funds, as well as infrastructure are limited. Some rehabilitation programmes incorporate concepts derived from Buddhism; indicative projects such as psychotherapy offered by priests, application of the Sufficiency Economy Concept, and the Khok Nong Na Project for agricultural development are discussed.
