5,515 Prisoners In South Sumatra Gain Assimilation During 2021-2022

Illustration of a prisoner freed from prison. (Between)

SUMSEL - Head of the Correctional Division of the South Sumatra Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office, Bambang Haryanto, said as many as 5,515 prisoners or correctional inmates (WBP) were assimilated during 2021 to March 2022.

This is the implementation of Permenkumham No. 24 of 2021 concerning the Assimilation of COVID-19, and Permenkumham No. 7 of 2022 concerning Integration, said the Head of the Correctional Division of the South Sumatra Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Bambang Haryanto, in Palembang, Saturday.

He explained, assimilation is a process of fostering prisoners or correctional inmates (WBP) which is carried out by assembling them in community life.

The condition of the number of residents in prisons and remand centers in this province reaches more than 15 thousand people, exceeding the available capacity of up to 100 percent, with assimilation programs that can reduce the buildup of prisoners and detainees.

In addition to assimilation, to prevent the spread and transmission of COVID-19 in prisons and state detention centers, vaccination services and implementation of health protocols (prokes) are optimized.

"Until April 2022, 14,569 WBP and detainees have been vaccinated, out of a total of 15,898 inmates in prisons and remand centers spread across 17 regencies and cities in the South Sumatra region," he added.

The vaccination service activity will continue to reach 100 percent of prison and detention center residents to create maximum communal immunity from COVID-19.

He explained that convicts and detainees who until now have not been touched by the COVID-19 vaccine service because they do not have a population identification number (NIK) and are sick or in the period of health care.

To achieve 100 percent vaccination, for WBP and detainees who do not have a NIK, his party is currently coordinating with the South Sumatra Dukcapil Service and local regencies/cities.

Meanwhile, inmates and prisoners who have not been vaccinated for health reasons are currently being treated by doctors and the medical team at prisons and detention centers.

"If they already have a NIK and are declared healthy by the medical team, they will immediately be vaccinated," said Bambang.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Office of the South Sumatra Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Harun Sulianto, added that currently his party is focusing on ensuring that all inmates and prisoners are physically and mentally healthy and do not contract COVID-19.

Harun said that for this reason, vaccination and strict implementation of the process in 20 prisons and detention centers in the province continued to be optimally pursued.