Minister: 448 Escaped in Pekanbaru Jailbreak, 179 Still at Large
8 May 2017 08:10 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - The Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said that 448 inmates had managed to escape in Pekanbaru jailbreak. “It’s the first time that so many inmates [managed to escape],” Yasonna said yesterday after inspecting the prison in Pekanbaru, Riau.
The prison has a capacity of 300 inmates but had housed 1,800 or a 500 percent overcapacity. According to Yasonna, 448 inmates had escaped the prison after they broke the prison entrance, many of whom have voluntarily returned to the prison. Meanwhile, 179 inmates are still at large.
“I expect those still at large to return before being arrested and hunted down by police; [you] better turn yourselves in,” Yasonna said. The ministry will take steps to address overcapacity issue, including by building more prisons. “We will see how much funds we have.”
Pressed whether the government would involve the private sector to build new prisons, Yasonna said that a preliminary study would be needed. Moreover, he has to discuss the issue with the finance ministry.
ANTARA