TIJ-depa Collaboration to Promote Digital Skills for Prisoners and Ex-Offenders

The Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) and depa Thailand, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on "Promoting and Developing Safe, Creative, and Income-Generating Digital Technology Skills." The objective is to enhance knowledge in the safe use of digital technology and develop essential skills for employment in the digital age, particularly for vulnerable groups such as prisoners and ex-offenders. The aim is to improve the quality of life after release, build skills, and create income opportunities for individuals in this group.

Currently, prisoners in Thailand receive standard care in accordance with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules) of 2015, and the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules) of 2010. One of the opportunities for skill training for prisoners in correctional facilities is digital skills training. The Royal Thai Prisons Department has collaborated with TIJ and various public and private sector agencies to promote and develop safe, creative, and income-generating digital technology skills through diverse training courses that meet individual needs and address basic knowledge and the use of technology in daily life, as well as digital career courses.