Inmates granted Christmas remission
Desy Nurhayati, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Mon, 12/27/2010 1:34 PM
Forty seven Christian inmates serving time in Kerobokan penitentiary in Denpasar received sentence reductions ranging from 15 days to two months in observance of Christmas Day.
The remissions were granted during a Christmas celebration ceremony held in the penitentiary hall on Saturday.
One of the 47 inmates, Michael Talang, convicted for a gambling offense, walked free after receiving the reduction.
Remissions are given on special occasions to inmates with good behavior, penitentiary warden Siswanto said after the ceremony.
“Thirty six of the 47 inmates have received official letters declaring their remissions, while 11 others have not yet had their letters issued by the Law and Human Rights Ministry,” he said.
As many as 7,324 prisoners in Indonesia received sentence reductions ranging from 15 days to two months.
Among those receiving the sentence reductions as Christmas gifts are two Australian women convicted of drug smuggling, Schapelle Leigh Corby and Renae Lawrence, each receiving 45 days. “Corby and Renae were given 45 day remissions, but they will only receive their official letters within the next seven to 15 days,” Siswanto said.
Four other foreign inmates in Kerobokan jail also received sentence cuts for this year’s Christmas.
The penitentiary held a party on Christmas eve, where Corby also took part.
The Australian woman, convicted of attempting to smuggle 4.2 kilograms of marijuana, is usually absent in the jail’s activities and avoids the press, but attended the Christmas celebration along with other Christian inmates.
Wearing a black dress and a blue cardigan, Corby mingled with other inmates and took part in activities during the celebration. Serving a 20 year sentence, Corby is currently hoping for clemency from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Other Australian inmates also attended the event, including Bali Nine convicts Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Renae Lawrence and Eric Martin. They engaged in a solemn Christmas prayer.
Siswanto said incarceration did not hamper the inmates willingness to enjoy Christmas.
The penitentiary accommodates 139 Christian inmates from a total 956 prisoners.
