NTB Prisoners Can Video Call During Ramadan, Kakanwil Ditjenpas: See Family Smiles Can Strengthen Morale

Inmates use the "video call" service from Wartelsuspas at the West Lombok Class II A Prison, NTB, Tuesday (24/2/2026). ANTARA/HO-Ditjenpas NTB

JAKARTA - The Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjenpas) West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has introduced a video call service for inmates serving sentences in all correctional institutions (lapas) and state detention houses (rutan).

Head of the NTB Regional Office of Ditjenpas Agung Krisna explained that this service is the commitment of his agency in upholding humanitarian values, especially during the Ramadan momentum so that the coaching process continues to run smoothly.

"We realize that family support is a key factor in the success of coaching. Moreover, in this Ramadan, seeing the family's smile can be a moral booster for them to undergo a criminal sentence with sincerity and become a better person," said Agung in Mataram, Tuesday, quoted by Antara.

He said this video call service was an innovation resulting from the development of the Special Penitentiary Telecommunications Stall (Wartelsuspas) facility which previously only served voice calls.

"So, through Wartelsuspas which now supports video calls, we provide space for residents to stay visually connected with loved ones," he said.

At the momentum of Ramadan, Agung did not deny that the utilization of this service is quite high compared to ordinary days.

In order for all inmates to be served without disturbing the training process, prisons and detention centers in the NTB region have reduced the duration of communication time.

"So that it is fair, the duration of video calls is regulated so that all residents get their turn," said Agung.

Agung said that his party provided this service by referring to the rules of Law Number 22 of 2022 concerning Corrections.

"In the rules, this communication right is guaranteed," he said.

In the regulation, it is emphasized that every inmate has the right to receive communication facilities to connect with his family and legal advisor.

"So, this is not just a 'bonus', but it is indeed a basic right that is protected by the state," he said.

The technical provisions regarding this service have also been strengthened through the Circular of the Director General of Corrections Number PAS-06.OT.02.02 of 2025.

This latest regulation ensures that the standardization of communication services, including the use of video calls, is carried out professionally to prevent illegal use of mobile phones inside the prison cell.

The monitoring is also carried out humanely by ensuring that there is no conversation that violates the rules.