Deploy Intelligence, Prisons In West Papua Tighten Supervision Of 2023 End Holidays

Illustration of guards for inmates or prisoners in prisons or detention centers in Indonesia. (Between-Idhad Zakaria)

WEST PAPUA - Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) West Papua Province has tightened supervision of all technical implementing units of correctional institutions (prisons) ahead of the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year holidays.

Head of the West Papua Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office, Taufiqurrakhman, said increased vigilance was a follow-up to a circular from the Directorate General of Corrections at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

This intends to prevent violations of procedures, abuse of authority, illicit drug trafficking, and illegal levies that cause disturbances in security and order in prisons.

"In detail, increase vigilance and security for 24 hours before and after Christmas or New Year," said Taufiqurrakhman in Manokwari, West Papua, Wednesday, December 20, which was confiscated by Antara.

He instructed all heads of UPT prisons, detention centers, Child Special Development Institutions (LPKA), and State Confiscated Property Storage Houses (Rupbasan) to immediately schedule pickets alternately.

In addition, he said, improving coordination with other stakeholders such as the TNI, Polri, fire fighting units, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara, and the Regional Disaster Management Agency to support the implementation of security duties.

"The Correctional Division and its staff will immediately assist the staff on guard," he said.

Correctional Intelligence Deployed

He hopes that the Correctional Intelligence Unit as early as possible detects the activities of the inmates who have the potential to cause disturbances in security and order in each prison.

In addition, the Internal Compliance Operational Unit (Satops Patnal) must also optimize monitoring of all potential disturbances that will occur, and ensure that service for the inmates is carried out according to procedures.

"Head of UPT and all structural officials remain in place during Christmas and New Year's Eve. Don't celebrate New Year's Eve parties," he said.

Taufiqurrakhman reminded the head of the prison's UPT not to issue leave for officers a week before Christmas 2023 and a week before the New Year 2024.

This aims to optimize routine tasks such as searches of all prison blocks, and providing visiting services must follow a circular letter from the Directorate General of Corrections.

"Make sure all items from visitors and partners are searched carefully. The face-to-face visit mechanism is adjusted to the circular," said Taufiqurrakhman.