In a shocking disclosure, poor inmates in Thandwe prison in southern Arakan State have lost their beds as prison authorities are selling the space to prisoners who can afford it at high prices, said a 60-year-old woman whose husband is in the prison.

"I went to the prison last week to meet my husband. He told me that his place in the prison was moved to near the toilet because he could not pay the prison authorities for his bed," she said.

The woman quoted her husband as saying that the prison authorities are selling the more in demand sleeping spots to prisoners for 40,000 to 80,000 Kyats per year.

"Since many poor prisoners are unable to buy their bed space for sleeping, they have been forced to move to dirty and undesirable locations inside the prison. My husband told me to send the information about Thandwe prison to the media in exile in order to spread the news to the higher authorities and international organizations. Because of this, I have informed you," the woman said.

Speaking to Narinjara over telephone, a politician in Thandwe said, "The situation in Thandwe prison is appalling. Many prisoners, who are not well- heeled, are facing problems inside and prisoners have been deprived of all rights."

He also said that prisoners in Thandwe have been receiving food from their families because the food provided by the government is insufficient.

The woman also said that the prison authorities are breeding pigs inside the prison compound for personal profit, and many prisoners have been forced to work to care for the animals.

Thandwe prison has an official capacity of 500 inmates, but is currently has around 800 inmates.