Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Cook & Coff, a public coffee shop located in Khao Khuen Lan, eastern Thailand, is managed by the Department of Corrections and operated daily by prisoners. One prisoner, Tup, learned barista skills after transfer to an open prison. He prepares coffee before returning to incarceration, with plans to start a coffee business upon release in 20 days.
The program aims to reduce the stigma prisoners face and promote rehabilitation rather than mere punishment, following frameworks like the Kyoto Model Strategies adopted by UN Member States in December 2025. These strategies emphasize addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of education, and social exclusion.
Thitiphan Manuchantrarut, director of a correctional institution in northeastern Thailand, noted that financial hardship often leads individuals into drug trafficking and incarceration. He suggested that early acquisition of skills taught in prisons might prevent initial criminal involvement. While reoffending remains a concern, providing work opportunities away from original environments may decrease recidivism.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime collaborates with Thai authorities to support rehabilitation programs and improve prison management and conditions. Improvements include installing a water purification system in prisons, where inmates previously had to pay for drinking water, reflecting efforts to enhance daily life for incarcerated individuals.