Guidelines for Participants in the Employment Generation and Occupational Training Program in the Industrial Sector (Special Parole Program): A Case Study of Samut Prakan Central Prison

Abstract

This research aims to study the effectiveness, challenges, obstacles, and success factors in the implementation of the Employment Generation and Occupational Training Program in the industrial sector (Special Parole Program), using Samut Prakan Central Prison as a case study, and to propose policy recommendations and practical guidelines for program participants. This qualitative study employed purposive sampling of 23 participants and focus group discussions involving 10 participants. The findings reveal that the program successfully achieved its objectives in terms of outputs, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. The “Samut Prakan Model” integrates parole policies with vocational training in real workplaces, using electronic monitoring (EM) bracelets to supervise participants. The program reduces the burden on prisons, enhances vocational skills, and prepares inmates for reintegration into society. The government benefits from reduced incarceration costs and improved organizational image to public, while the private sector gains access to skilled labor and lower training costs. Inmates are able to earn income, provide financial support to their families, and gain greater social acceptance. This program serves as a successful prototype for creating sustainable reform in the Thai correctional system.