One report about Vientianes Sam Khe Prison alleges that in 1977 and 1978 several inmates were beaten to death following "Peoples Courts." held inside the prison. A recently released prisoner from Sam Khe reported that he had not witnessed any overt brutality during nine months of detention. According to refugees and to sources in Vientiane in prior years. the authorities in Southern Laos had executed a number of people. some publicly. in an effort to clamp down on armed resistance there. Such reports are difficult to verify. There have been some refugee reports of executions of those attempting to escape from reeducation camps. c. Arbitrary Arrest or Imprisonment: Shortly after the establishment of the new regime. several thousand Lao citizens as well as a few foreign residents were arrested for their association with the previous government (or with the United States). and were sent. without public hearing or trial. to remote camps for "reeducation." The reeducation camps in Phong Saly were closed in early 1979 and most of the camps inmates released. reducing the number of those in captivity to some extent. Former Prime Minister and adviser to the Lao Government Souvanna Phouma told a visiting U.S. reporter in March 1979 that he estimated about 10.000 (15.000 at the most) were being held in reeducation camps.
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