Guessing The Reasons For Free Prisoners Due To The Assimilation Of COVID-19 Are Again Criminal

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Thousands of prisoners throughout Indonesia have been released through assimilation and integration programs related to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in prisons and detention centers. However, many of them returned to acting up and ended up in bars.

If you look further, there are driving factors that cause them to commit criminal offenses again, one of which is economic problems. It is especially difficult to find work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This happened to a former class IIA Jambi prison inmate named Ardiyansyah (31). This man was again arrested by the police for stealing a cellphone at a resident's house, Monday, April 13.

The theft was carried out by breaking into the lock of the target house when it was empty. His action was revealed when the police found several clues that led to him.

After being arrested, Ardiyansyah admitted to having committed a crime because he did not have a job after being released. Stealing became her way of making ends meet.

An observer of criminal law at Al-Azhar University, Suparji Ahmad, said there were several factors driving these prisoners to repeat their actions. First, related to the character of each individual.

Those who have bad character have great potential to repeat their actions. However, what is in the spotlight is the matter of imprisonment that cannot change their character to live better in society.

"The prison that has been served has not succeeded in setting up and educating people to become better people. After imprisonment, they should obey the law and live in society," Suparji told VOI, Tuesday, April 21.

The second is related to this difficult situation, at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, they had difficulty finding decent work. This was exacerbated by the negative view of society about prisoners.

With the difficulties they face, they are looking for shortcuts to meet their daily needs. The method chosen is of course back to committing crimes.

"The situation is very difficult, including the economic problem due to the corona which causes these inmates to look for shortcuts to make ends meet. They cannot work to make ends meet," said Suparji.

Although many think that the assimilation and integration program is not quite right, Suparji thinks that the policy is not completely wrong. It's just that, the implementation or execution is not careful.

In this program, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights should sort the prisoners who will be released by considering the possibility that they will not act again or their readiness in terms of ability when released.

"It is not entirely wrong, but it is not accurate in mapping who is given the assimilation. The main consideration should be that the person concerned is better and will not repeat his crime," he said.

With the impact of the release of these prisoners already occurring, Suparji suggested that the government immediately coordinate with the police to provide a deterrent effect on them. This was done so that the other prisoners who were released would be afraid to repeat their actions.

It's just that, the deterrent effect in question is not direct, measured decisive action or shooting on the spot. Actions must be in accordance with the prevailing legal and human rights aspects

"So that there is a deterrent effect for both those concerned and others. However, we must pay attention to legal and human rights aspects. Shoot at the place must be in accordance with the procedure, for example if there is evidence of crime, fight back and only to incapacitate but not kill," Suparji concluded.