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View all search resultsNo plan to relocate Tanjung Gusta prison, says govt
The Law and Human Rights Ministryâs North Sumatra office said it did not yet have a plan to relocate Tanjung Gusta Penitentiary in Medan, North Sumatra, following a riot in the prison that led to the escape of hundreds of inmates, on Thursday evening
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T
he Law and Human Rights Ministry's North Sumatra office said it did not yet have a plan to relocate Tanjung Gusta Penitentiary in Medan, North Sumatra, following a riot in the prison that led to the escape of hundreds of inmates, on Thursday evening.
'We have not yet discussed the relocation. We're focusing on the rehabilitation of the prison that was severely damaged,' said head of the ministry's North Sumatra office, Budi Sulaksana, in Medan on Saturday, as quoted by Antara news agency.
He said almost 100 percent of the front building of the Tanjung Gusta prison was damaged. Therefore, he added, no discussion on the relocation had taken place so far.
'We are giving the highest priority to the repair of the building that was severely damaged after it was burned by prisoners. The repairs on the prison should be carried out as soon as possible,' said Budi.
The National Police said in a previous statement that in total, 212 prisoners escaped following the riot in the prison. As of Sunday, four out of a total of nine escapees who were imprisoned on terrorism-related charges remained at large.
Meanwhile, 97 other escapees who were imprisoned on various charges, including drug abuse, have been recaptured in Belawan, East Aceh, Langkat, Medan, and Pematang Siantar.
Five people ' two prison staff members and three inmates - died from burns during the riot that was allegedly triggered by electricity and clean water supply stoppages.
Data shows that Tanjung Gusta Penitentiary accommodated 2,016 inmates, far exceeding its capacity of 1,050 people. (fan/ebf)
