Collaboration of Government Agencies’ for Managing and Resolving the Crisis of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic in One of the Prisons in Northern Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this research article is to study 1) the process of collaborative work among government agencies for managing and resolving the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2) the challenges and development strategies for implementing collaborative work for managing and resolving the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic in one of the prisons in Northern Thailand. This is a qualitative research study that collected data from documents, various measures, relevant directives, and in-depth interviews with a main group of informants who are directly involved or associated with the activities or operations. The data was analyzed using the concept of Collaborative Governance by Ansell & Gash (2007).

The research findings indicate that: 1) The collaboration process of government agencies that occurs in prisons consists of 4 key factors that affect the collaboration process cycle, which are the main variables as follows: 1. Starting Conditions, This factor is caused by various causes that cause integration, which are 1.1 Acute severe situation factors, 1.2 Policy factors of correctional agencies, 1.3 Capacity and resource factors of agencies, 1.4 Role factors of related agencies, and 1.5Factors related to the group's past work experience. Factor 2: Institutional structure design, Factor 3: Facilitative Leadership in collaboration, and Factor 4: Collaborative process. Which identified four subcomponents within the governance process variable as well, including 4.1. Face-to-Face Dialogue, 4.2. Trust building in teamwork, 4.3. Setting operational guidelines, 4.4. Enhancing mutual understanding, and 4.5. Evaluation or follow-up for development. The operational results have achieved the goals set by the Central Correctional Agency. In terms of controlling the spread of the disease, the disease control measures are as follows: 1.Control infection in prisons and prevent infected people from spreading to outside society. 2. Medical treatment with the lowest mortality rate.

2) Challenges and approaches to joint development of prison operations It consists of the agency's regulations on safety. Next up is the attitude of external society towards the organization's capacity to manage emerging diseases and shortage of medical personnel. The knowledge in educational administration suggests that collaborative governance within prisons employs a unique organizational structure and multiple leadership roles to drive mission accomplishment.