Policy report proposes setting up expat prison
Published: 23 Dec. 2009, 21:31
Korea will open its first privately run prison next year and is considering launching foreigner-only correctional facilities, according to the Justice Ministry yesterday in a 2010 policy report to President Lee Myung-bak.
The ministry signed a contract with Agape, a Christian foundation, in February 2003 to establish a private jail that can accommodate up to 300 prisoners. Those to be relocated to the new prison will mostly be first-time offenders and well-behaved prisoners.
The foundation will pay the construction costs and receive government subsidies for management. Remaining costs will come out of the foundation’s pocket.
“Jailing serious criminals and first-time offenders together doesn’t help,” said vice justice minister Hwang Hee-chul.
The idea of a private prison came as the government tries to slash costs involved in building more correctional facilities and while the number of criminals facing imprisonment is increasing.
Countries like the United States, Australia and Japan operate private prisons, and the ministry said some 7 percent of total prisoners stay at such facilities.
In tandem with the surging number of foreigners in Korean jails, the ministry will turn the existing Cheonan prison in South Chungcheong into one for foreigners only starting in January. Ministry data shows that as of Dec. 1, there were 1,660 foreign prisoners here compared to 643 in 2005.
The Cheonan prison will hire 15 fluent speakers of languages such as Chinese as prison guards and set up an international cooperative department. It will also develop menus to cater to the international demographic and run a variety of programs that promote Korean culture.
The ministry also reported it will raise the ceiling of government funds that are offered to victims of crimes from the current 30 million won ($25,346) to 50 million won. Although the top amount was increased this year from 10 million won to 30 million won for the first time in 18 years, there have been constant requests for a larger amount. The ministry wants to see the maximum amount reach 100 million won by 2013.
Crime victims and their families will undergo government-funded psychotherapy and, if necessary, they will be offered temporary accommodation. The government plans to provide small, low-interest loans to prisoners set for release to help them adapt to society.
By Seo Ji-eun [[email protected]]
The ministry signed a contract with Agape, a Christian foundation, in February 2003 to establish a private jail that can accommodate up to 300 prisoners. Those to be relocated to the new prison will mostly be first-time offenders and well-behaved prisoners.
The foundation will pay the construction costs and receive government subsidies for management. Remaining costs will come out of the foundation’s pocket.
“Jailing serious criminals and first-time offenders together doesn’t help,” said vice justice minister Hwang Hee-chul.
The idea of a private prison came as the government tries to slash costs involved in building more correctional facilities and while the number of criminals facing imprisonment is increasing.
Countries like the United States, Australia and Japan operate private prisons, and the ministry said some 7 percent of total prisoners stay at such facilities.
In tandem with the surging number of foreigners in Korean jails, the ministry will turn the existing Cheonan prison in South Chungcheong into one for foreigners only starting in January. Ministry data shows that as of Dec. 1, there were 1,660 foreign prisoners here compared to 643 in 2005.
The Cheonan prison will hire 15 fluent speakers of languages such as Chinese as prison guards and set up an international cooperative department. It will also develop menus to cater to the international demographic and run a variety of programs that promote Korean culture.
The ministry also reported it will raise the ceiling of government funds that are offered to victims of crimes from the current 30 million won ($25,346) to 50 million won. Although the top amount was increased this year from 10 million won to 30 million won for the first time in 18 years, there have been constant requests for a larger amount. The ministry wants to see the maximum amount reach 100 million won by 2013.
Crime victims and their families will undergo government-funded psychotherapy and, if necessary, they will be offered temporary accommodation. The government plans to provide small, low-interest loans to prisoners set for release to help them adapt to society.
By Seo Ji-eun [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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