Palembang Prison Overloads 200 Percent, 1 Chamber Of Capacity 6 People Filled With 12 Prisoners

Illustration of prisoners. (Between)

JAKARTA - The capacity of the Palembang Class I correctional institution (Lapas) accommodates inmates far exceeding the ideal capacity or an overload of up to 200 percent.

The Head of Palembang Class I Headquarters, M Pithra, said that Palembang Prison should only accommodate 500 people but now it is inhabited by around 1,500 inmates. He said, one room that should have been for 6 people is now filled with up to 12 people.

"The Palembang Class I Prison should only accommodate 500 people but now it is inhabited by around 1,500 inmates. This means that the occupancy rate is more than 200 percent, one room that should be for 6 people is now filled with up to 12 people," he said in Palembang, Friday, quoted by Antara.

He explained that several solutions are currently being considered, including the distribution of prisoners to other prisons in the regions, the acceleration of parole, and the granting of remissions at the moment of Independence Day on August 17 for prisoners who behaved well.

He also highlighted the high number of narcotics convicts who reached 60 percent with the majority being users.

He encouraged a regulatory update that was more in favor of rehabilitation, not coaching.

"According to the law, narcotics users should be rehabilitated before the court's decision and we hope that in the future there will be strict regulations that distinguish between drug users and dealers," he said.

In the future, he said that his party would increase the collaboration between the Palembang City Government and the prison. This is expected to be a concrete step in creating a more humane, effective and sustainable coaching system for the sake of security and city order.