I wish to applaud the wise decision made by President SBY in granting clemency for 500 kids in jails across the country. I also salute the President for his forthright declaration that "the best place for children is at home with their families, not in prison".
I reckon the President's and the First Lady's visit the other day to the penitentiary and to see the appalling condition of the children there must have moved their hearts.
It appears that even in advanced western countries like the US, ill treatment of juvenile offenders is quite common. According to USA Today of Feb. 4, 2010, an investigation by the US Department of Justice found that the New York state used excessive force on youths in custody. The juvenile criminals were punished severely for minor infractions. Another advocacy group says, "It's just too expensive to lock up the kids".
In retrospect, I remember that decades back my maternal uncle was in charge of a juvenile institution in Chingleput, a small town near Madras (now known as Chennai - by the way, Indian politicians in power seem to derive immense pleasure in rechristening the names of famous cities and states, and tom-tom such changes as their great achievements!).
The detention center in Chingleput was called a "school" and it was directly under the control of the educational department of government. My uncle's job title was "headmaster".
During my teenage years, I occasionally visited my uncle's house during my school vacations. I remember seeing boys in the open air facility roaming around the complex without any restraint. Except for the high walls and gates surrounding the place, there was nothing to show it was in fact a prison.
Once in a month, the "pupils" were taken to a nearby cinema theater or picnic spot for recreational purposes. I distinctly recollect walking along with them through the town, and joining them to watch the famous Tamil movie Chandralekha.
Years later, after my uncle passed away, I went with my aunt to visit the place to arrange for her civil pension. The office staff at the "school" kindly took great pains to dig out the old records and provided adequate proof for claiming the government pension for my aunt. Ah well, nostalgic memories!
I am pleased to note that the Indonesian government would also consider releasing the elderly and disabled inmates in its jails.
No doubt, the judicial system, too, simultaneously needs a thorough overhaul, along with the mind-set of those rendering justice, so that any petty cases could be thrown out at the introductory stage. How much time, energy and costs could be saved!
I wish that the people in authority, at least once in a while, dismount from their high pedestals and personally experience the trials and tribulations of what the common people undergo in day-to-day life. Even small improvements by way of policy decisions or on-the-spot instructions to those in charge could well have a great impact in mitigating the difficulties of the people.
D. Chandramouli
Jakarta
