119,175 Prisoners Get Remission, 1,438 People Immediately Free

Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly (Photo: @ yasonna.laoly)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Law and Human Rights gave general remissions for the 2020 Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia to 119,175 prisoners and children who are members of prisons.

Of the total inmates who received remissions, 186,673 of them were convicts and 48,925 were prisoners.

The length of time withheld from a sentence varies from one to six months. As many as 1,438 prisoners were immediately released after receiving remission for the independence anniversary in 2020.

"To all prisoners and children who received remission, especially those who were immediately free today, I would like to congratulate them. I also want to remind them to increase their faith and piety to God Almighty," said Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly in an official statement, Monday, August 17th.

He advised, after being free he must change his life. Of course, he will not be involved in criminal acts again and return to prison.

"Be a law-abiding person, a person with noble and virtuous character, and a person who is useful for national development," he said.

As for the provision of remissions, it is inseparable from social reintegration as a correctional philosophy. This means that every criminal who harms society needs to be given the opportunity to make amends as well as for the losses it has caused.

"Through remission, it is hoped that it can accelerate the process of returning child prisoners to social life," said Yasonna.

"On the other hand, this remission is also an appreciation of the state for the achievements that have been made by prisoners during their training in prisons, detention centers, and special children's development institutions (LPKA)," said the Head of the Legal Division of the PDI Perjuangan.