On the occasion of the Mother’s Day Aug 12, prisons and detention centres throughout the country will open for relatives to meet inmates throughout the month of August, Corrections Department director-general Narat Sawetanan said on Saturday.

Pol Col Narat said the intention is for prison inmates to have a chance to pay respects to their mothers and have a good time together.

All prisons and detention centres are to make arrangements for such visits throughout the month, based on surrounding conditions and suitability.

Each prison is to decide who among the inmates should be allowed to meet their relatives in private. Usually good-grade prisoners with excellent conduct and behaviour are given such a privilege. Others may be allowed to meet their relatives among other families, he said.

Moreover, the Corrections Department has joined hands with the Cultural Promotion Department and the Foundation of Books for Children to launch a programme to promote reading and learning among pregnant inmates and female prisoners who give birth while in prision.

The programme is to promote a strong bond between mothers and their children, Pol Col Narat said.