After Two Weeks Of Isolatement, Sibolga Prison Finally Opens Access To Visits

After the Siolka prison was closed for two weeks, now the family can return to visit. (IST)

JAKARTA - After 13 days of being flooded, the Sibolga Class IIA Prison has finally reopened the family visit service. This decision is a moment of emotion for the correctional inmates (WBP) and their families who have waited almost two weeks.

The Head of Sibolga Headquarters, Tri Purnomo, in a written statement received by VOI on Tuesday, December 9, said that the reopening of visiting services was very much anticipated news, both by WBP and the family. Previously, the visit service was completely closed following the severe floods that hit Sibolga City and Central Tapanuli Regency (Tapteng).

Severe Flood Triggers Prison Closure

The large floods that occurred were triggered by prolonged heavy rains in Sibolga and Tapteng. The water level was even reported to have reached the shoulders of adults and also submerged several parts of the prison, resulting in paralyzed correctional activities.

"The prison was isolated for two days, while parts of Sibolga and Tapteng were isolated for more than a week," said Tri Purnomo.

At the time of the incident, there were 954 inmates and 109 officers who were in prison. Despite being hit by a disaster, the entire security process went well and the situation remained under control without security disturbances.

Visit Service Opened Gradually

As conditions began to return to normal, the visit service was reopened on a regular schedule. However, goods storage services are still closed as part of post-disaster operational recovery.

Kalapas and his staff also gave visit greetings' to families who began to arrive, as a form of moral support for the disaster that occurred.

The visit service is safe and conducive. We are still trying to provide the best service even though we have just recovered from disaster," Tri said.

On the first day of the opening, the number of visitors was still relatively small. Only 104 WBP families came. The lack of visits was influenced by the condition of road access to Sibolga from Tarutung which had not been broken. Many families were forced to turn around through Subulussalam, Aceh, so most of them could not attend.

Haru Moment Of Meeting Again

The atmosphere of emotion was clearly visible when WBP finally reunited with the family after a period of uncertainty. The meeting became a separate encouragement for prison residents during the disaster recovery process.

With the weather starting to stabilize and the prison conditions gradually recovering, the Sibolga Prison hopes that all services, including goods storage, can return to normal in the near future.

Tri Purnomo emphasized that there were no casualties, either from the WBP or from the officers, during the flood that hit Sibolga.