National police installs CCTV to monitor prison guards

A dozen hidden cameras have been installed at the National Police detention center in Salemba, Central Jakarta to monitor the activities of its guards.

National Police detective chief Comr. Gen. Ito Sumardi said Thursday closed circuit televisions (CCTV) had been put in a number of the facilities inside the prison to record possible extortion, bribery or acts of violence. The cameras will be in operation 24 hours a day, he added.

“We will record all activities in order to secure data, including time and date details, for when we investigate crimes there,” Ito was quoted as saying by Antara state news agency.

He said the detention center provided certain facilities to prisoners, including a TV set, a place of worship and air conditioners, in accordance with international standards. But laptops, cell phones and refrigerators are barred from the prison.

Ito said 24 CCTVs had also been installed inside his office to monitor the activities of detectives.

On Sunday, the presidential task force to eradicate judicial corruption discovered, during a raid on Pondok Bambu women’s prison in East Jakarta, that a number of wealthy inmates enjoyed exclusive facilities.