Minister Of Imipas Will Be Benahi Overcapacity After Dozens Of Prisoners Escaped From Aceh Prison

Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Agus Andrianto answered a question from reporters at the Ministry of Imipas Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (11/3/2025). (ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya)

JAKARTA - Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Agus Andrianto said his party would evaluate the problem of the number of residents who exceeded capacity alias overcapacity after the escape of dozens of inmates from the Kutacane Correctional Institution (Lapas), Southeast Aceh Regency, Aceh.

"First, of course, we will try to overcome the overcapacity problem first," Agus said when met at the Office of the Ministry of Imipas, Jakarta, Tuesday, March 11, which was confiscated by Antara.

Agus admitted that overcapacity in prisons is indeed a classic problem. He said the actual capacity of Kutacane Prison was only for 100 people, but was inhabited by around 368 inmates.

As an effort to overcome overcapacity, Agus encouraged addicts and drug abusers to be rehabilitated instead of being punished. He said the discourse had been discussed with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the National Police, and the Attorney General's Office.

In addition, the Government is also conducting an assessment of around 19 thousand convicts, most of whom are drug addicts and drug abusers, to be granted amnesty by President Prabowo Subianto.

"Hopefully, if you get forgiveness from the President, it will also greatly reduce the burden on the prison," said Agus.

Another step, Minister Imipas appealed to his staff at the Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjen PAS) to be selective in receiving prisoners from other ministries/agencies.

"We ask officers in the field if, for example, receiving a deposit of prisoners should be selective. Unless those who have received an inkrah (permanent legal decision), we will accept it," said Agus.

It is known that dozens of inmates or convicts of Class IIB Kutacane Prison, Southeast Aceh Regency, were reported to have fled on Monday, March 10 before breaking the fast. Some of the escaped inmates have been arrested.

Minister Imipas appealed to prisoners who have not returned to prison to surrender themselves so that other problems do not occur.

"I appeal and hopefully friends from the police will also appeal, it's better to surrender than them, yes, maybe there will be other disasters," he said.

The Ministry of Imipas is also still investigating the cause of the escape of the prisoners. The Director General of PAS Mashudi and his team together with Commission XIII of the DPR RI in charge of correctional matters are directly reviewing the Kutacane Prison to investigate the incident.