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Jakarta Post

Prisoners freed thanks to seasonal sentence reduction

As many as 54,396 convicts across the country had their sentences reduced for Idul Fitri, of that number a total of 841 were set set free

Ina Parlina (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Thu, August 8, 2013

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Prisoners freed thanks to seasonal sentence reduction

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smany as 54,396 convicts across the country had their sentences reduced for IdulFitri, of that number a total of 841 were set set free. However, none of theindividuals involved in the recent riot at a Tanjung Gusta prison received any leniency,an official said on Thursday.

Specialremission is granted on national and religious holidays such as Idul Fitri,Christmas and Independence Day.

AkbarHadi, spokesman for the the Law and Human Rights Ministry correctionsdirectorate general, said the inmates received between 15 days to twomonths remission.

'€œThoseinvolved in the Tanjung Gusta and Batam prison incidents did not receiveany reduction,'€ Akbar said. '€œThey are currently undergoing sentence disciplinarypenalties.'€

In midJuly, a deadly riot took place at Tanjung Gusta Penitentiary in Medan;resulting in more than 200 prisoners fleeing from the prison. Theinmates set fire to the prison and five people '€” two prison guards andthree inmates '€” died after being trapped in one of the rooms on fire.

Theministry later transferred 118 suspected Tanjung Gusta riot provocateursto various prisons in North Sumatra and Nusakambangan, Central Java.

Just aweek after the Tanjung Gusta incident, 12 inmates escaped from a prison in Batam,Riau. They fled through broken windows and doors after assaulting twoprison guards.

'€œTheescaped convicts might be considered for a sentence reduction next year ifthey show remorse and are well behaved,'€ Akbar said.(dic)

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