TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo has released a new investigation report on corruption convicts living behind bars at the Sukamiskin penitentiary in Bandung. Surprisingly, Tempo team discovered that most of the convicts, which should be deprived of their lusuries, are actually free to roam the city.
Tempo investigation team investigates the lives of several names living their lives within the comfort of prison walls, including Romi Herton, Rachmat Yasin, and Anggoro Widjojo. The full investigative report is available in this week's edition of Tempo Weekly News Magazine, Tempo English Magazine and Koran Tempo February 6, 2017, edition.
Having served as Justice and Human Rights Minister for the past two years, Yasonna Laoly said that it was not easy to reorganize the Sukamiskin penitentiary management officials. Tempo interviewed Yasonna at his office last Thursday, asking questions about the fact that most of the prison's inmates were able to roam free and even living luxuriously. Excerpts:
We discovered that all Sukamiskin inmates could easily get out of the prison by claiming they were sick.
I have no idea about that. Give me the data. It has never happened, and the previous prison warden had been replaced after I heard such reports.
But it is still happening.
I will verify this information. So far, Dedi Handoko (the current Sukamiskin prison warden) has been pretty strict [in implementing the rules]. He even refused to give permission to SDA [former religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali] to get medical treatment at Gatot Subroto Military Hospital. Many of the inmates even staged protests against his firm stance. I had received letters from the inmates complaining about it.
Are the correctional officers involved?
This is the problem with the mentality of [correctional facility officers]. They often tolerate such behavior, bribes were said to be offered. We have fired some officials, transfer some others to lower level positions, but violations still happen. It's not easy to change the mindset of correctional facility officials. Such condition has been ongoing for years.
We discovered that permits for medical treatment are the prime motive for inmates to get outside the penitentiary.
Recommendation from a doctor will be needed to get medical treatment. I don't know how many licenses have been issued. Many of the [inmates] are elderly people. They suffer from stress, and get sick in the penitentiary.
We also found out that inmates could easily get out of the penitentiary without proper escort.
I want to see your data. That would be a violation. I will verify it. They should've been escorted.
The Corruption Eradication Commission once requested for an evaluation of the penitentiary. Do you agree if Sukamiskin continues to be a special penitentiary for graft convicts?
I do. I have no replacement lined up. It is impossible to use Nusakambangan. It's not about in Sukamiskin or not in Sukamiskin, the most important thing is law enforcement. I had sent a letter to the KPK asking them to help with reviewing [the Sukamiskin penitentiary]. So far, no answer.
What is your suggestion to address the issues in Sukamiskin?
If it's true, I have to find another penitentiary warden with good capability and integrity. Security chiefs must also be replaced. Correctional officers must all be replaced; they should not work there for a long period of time.
TEMPO INVESTIGATION TEAM
Read the full Investigation Report in Tempo Weekly News Magazine and Tempo English Magazine, and Koran Tempo February 6, 2017 edition.
