TEMPO Interactive, Bandung:Kebonwaru detention authorities were happy to see Nazril Irham, better known by his stage name, Ariel Peterpan, freed from prison on parole starting Monday, July 23, 2012. Security Chief Tohari says that when an inmate is successful in meeting parole requirements it reflects the success of the prison’s educational program for the said inmate. Ariel had been jailed for his role in the distribution of taped recordings – one of him having sex with his girlfriend, TV personality Luna Maya, and another of him having sex with TV actress Cut Tari. Both Ariel and Luna have consistently denied that they were the characters in the taped recording. However, Cut Tari has admitted that she is the woman in the tape recording. "(Prison residents including wardens) Close (to Ariel) certainly feel a sense of loss. But, as far as I and all of us (prison officers) are concerned, there’s a sense of pride when an inmate can leave prison early (be on parole)," said Tohari in his office on Saturday, July 21, 2012. Tohari shares some of his impressions while Ariel was in his prison. Ariel, he says, made Kebonwaru prison different from the other prisons in the country, because of the media spotlight on the celebrity. "The media spotlight and their visits are admittedly inconvenient sometimes (laughter). But we’re happy, too, because serving the media is also our duty," he said. With regard to Ariel as a person while in prison, Tohari finds this artist from Bandung friendly. The singer will talk to anyone, prison officials, fellow inmates, or detainees. “He has respect for everyone, those who are being guided and officers. Not difficult to get him to talk, doesn’t seem to be trying to keep his distance,” he said. Another Kebonwaru prisoner also finds the Antapani resident, Bandung, to be friendly. Usman, 25 years old says Ariel is seen to mingle with others when leaving his cell in B1 block on Sundays. On that day, Ariel is usually active in the prison mosque. “He rarely seems to join the others on weekdays. But, when we meet, well, yes, he's friendly enough. I’m not too close to him, but, if we meet each other, we chat, like normal, not difficult,” he said. Although he graced prison life for a period, Tohari does not think that Ariel will hold a special farewell to his fellow Kebonwaru residents. "As far as I know, there’ll be no special farewell party. But at least, there’s a tradition among those being guided. Those who are freed normally distribute free goods, such as clothing, to the residents who remain behind in prison," he said. ERICK P. HARDI