Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Controversial prison chief gets promotion

Controversial prison chief gets promotion

General Director of General Department of Prisons at the Interior Ministry Chan Kimseng, left, appoints Ouk Kimlum, right, as Ratanakkiri's new prison director. Fresh News
General Director of General Department of Prisons at the Interior Ministry Chan Kimseng, left, appoints Ouk Kimlum, right, as Ratanakkiri's new prison director. Fresh News

Controversial prison chief gets promotion

The chief of the Ratanakkiri Provincial Prison, who was accused in 2015 of paying an inmate for sex and under whose watch five inmates escaped the prison in May, was promoted yesterday to a position at the Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Prisons.

Chan Kimseng, director of the Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Prisons, announced Tin Sovanny’s new role as deputy director of prison guards during a meeting at the Ratanakkiri Provincial Hall.

Ouk Kemchun, director of the education department at the Ratanakkiri Provincial Prison, was promoted to replace Sovanny, said Sorn Keo, spokesman for the Prisons Department.

Keo maintained the move was unrelated to the scandal. “We made the replacement with the intention of strengthening the effectiveness of the work, and exchanging experience,” he said.

On May 25, five inmates escaped from the prison, three of whom remain at large. Kyal Pa Ngarng, the chief of guards at the prison, was arrested late last month, and charged with helping the five inmates escape.

Ngarng is detained in Stung Treng Provincial Prison awaiting trial, and faces up to 10 years in jail.

In December 2015, a four-page complaint was signed by 32 of Sovanny’s staffers at the Ratanakkiri prison calling for his removal.

The accusations against Sovanny in the complaint ranged from using the prison for his own benefit by charging prisoners for electricity, using inmates as cleaners and even paying a female inmate for sex.

An investigation by the Prisons Department concluded that some of the complaints were justified, but there was not enough evidence to support others, and Sovanny kept his job.

San Chey, executive director of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability, said it was time for the government to stop rewarding officials accused of wrongdoing with promotions.

“The promotion is not much appreciated and valued by the public,” he said.

“It’s a kind of failure [in] reform . . . He doesn’t deserve a promotion.”

Meanwhile, Sovan Bunthai, a coordinator for Adhoc in Ratanakkiri, said the transfer opens an opportunity for the new prison director to bring change.

“I hope that the next one will not follow the [same] path,” he said. Additional reporting by Yesenia Amaro

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not