Penitentiaries DG Criticizes Tempo on Sukamiskin Prison Coverage

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - I Wayan K. Dusak, director general of penitentiaries at the Law and Human Rights Ministry claimed that his institution has made excellent achievements under his leadership.

“We have great achievements. We have registered records with the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) and several convicts have turned into good people,” Wayan said in a focus group discussion held at his office in Jakarta on Thursday, February 9, 2017.

Also read: Other Penitentiary Also Allows Graft Convicts to Leave Cells

Wayan made the comment following Tempo’s coverage related to convicts housed in Sukamiskin Penitentiary who are frequently given permission to leave their cells. Among the convicts are former Palembang mayor Romi Herton and corruption convict Anggoro Widjojo. According to Wayan, the coverage had tainted the institution’s good reputation.

“This is what we call a fly in the ointment,” he added.

Wayan, who served as a speaker in the discussion, explained that penitentiaries serve as correctional facilities for convicts. Since 1983, the Directorate General of Penitentiaries has dealt not only with convicts but also prisoners and evidence. Wayan suggested that comprehensive measures since penitentiaries house an increasing number of prisoners.

REZKI ALVIONITASARI