Bangkok Hospital Phuket is helping female prisoners stay out of prison by equiping them with skills and offering job training before they leave Phuket Provincial prison.

The project, which was launched in September of this year, is organised and funded in co-operation with successful Phuket-based hotel owner Nontalee Makkawanich.

Khun Nontalee said, ?We want to adjust the way they view life so that they will not return to doing illegal things again.?

Pareeya Jullaphong, Corporate Social Responsibility Department Manager of Bangkok Hospital
said, ?Bangkok Hospital Phuket has worked with the prison for a long time, and have donated baby clothes and sanitary towels to female prisoners in the past.?

Upon a recent visit to the prison, Bangkok Hospital found a large majority of the prisoners were making seine (a large fishing net). ?Although that?s a good hobby and skill, I don?t think it will help them make a living.? K Pareeya explained.

As most businesses are understandably hesitant to employ convicted felons, it is the aim of the project to enable the prisoners to have choices when they leave prison and to set up their own businesses.

?We are spending money on materials to make hair acskills-traingcessories, ribbons, bows, and crochet
dolls and employing experts to teach them. This will give them the opportunity of owning their own business or getting a job.? K Pareeya said.

The products that the female prisoners make are sold for around 10-99 baht, which is the
same price as can be found at local markets. The products are on sale at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Summer hotel on Patiphat road, Siri hotel on Yaowarat road, and Baan Tonsai hotel.

A female prisoner at the provincial prison said, ?Thank you everybody who is helping us. The job training is really useful and helps us to have our own little business in the future after we leave here. We are lucky to get this chance and I hope everyone profits from this opportunity once they leave prison.?