Christmas, Dozens Of Prisoners In Cirebon Prison Receive Special Remission

JAKARTA - A total of 19 inmates at the Class I Penitentiary (Lapas) Kesambi, Cirebon, West Java, received remission or reduced sentences, specifically for Christmas 2024 as an appreciation for their good behavior during their detention period.

"The number of prisoners in the Kesambi Class I Prison is currently 920 people. Of these, 25 people are Christians, and 19 people are eligible to receive remissions," said Head of Class I Prison Development Division Cirebon Rommy Waskita Pambudi in Cirebon, Wednesday.

According to him, there were six other Christian inmates who did not meet the requirements to get remission. Three of them were inmates with life sentences, one death row convict, and the other two were declared to have violated the rules during their detention period.

Rommy said the main requirement for remission was that prisoners had served a minimum of six months in prison and were not involved in disciplinary violations.

He explained that the reduction in punishment was carried out based on an assessment of behavior and a minimum time of detention. The remissions given to 19 prisoners ranged from one to two months, in accordance with applicable regulations.

"This remission is proof that good behavior while serving a period of detention can provide real benefits for the inmates," he said.

The granting of remissions, he continued, is part of the government's routine program which is routinely implemented at certain moments, such as religious celebrations.

He said this program aims to motivate prisoners to behave well and accelerate the reintegration process.

"This Christmas remission can be a momentum to encourage other inmates to be more disciplined and behave well while serving their detention," he said.

In addition to providing remissions, the Kesambi Class I Prison also held various religious activities to help prisoners explore their respective religious teachings.

"Through religious activities, we want to form inmates who not only obey the rules in prison, but are also ready to reintegrate with the community after the sentence is over," he said.

Meanwhile Andreas Alexander Ginting, one of the inmates, said he was grateful to have received remission on Christmas Day 2024, so that his detention period was reduced by one month.

The inmates who have a criminal sentence of six years, hope that the remission can be a motivation to continue to improve while in prison.

"This mission means a lot to us. Apart from shortening the prison term, this is also an impetus to live life in prisons better," he said.