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Keeping guards under watchful eyes

Is it really possible to stop corruptors from bringing their corruption into their prison cells?

Hendi Yogi Prabowo (The Jakarta Post)

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Yogyakarta

Mon, August 13, 2018 Published on Aug. 13, 2018 Published on 2018-08-13T09:15:49+07:00

Evidence: Refrigerators and other electronic equipment are displayed on Sunday evening, July 22, 2018 at Sukamiskin Penitentiary in Bandung, West Java, after they were confiscated from several cells by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The commission, which is investigating alleged bribery in exchange for special facilities for inmates, has arrested prison warden Wahid Husen, a prison guard and two inmates on suspicion of graft. (JP/Arya Dipa)

T

he arrest of several people, including prison warden Wahid Husen, following a sting operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at Sukamiskin prison in Bandung, West Java, last month, unveiled yet again the luxury cell scandal.

During the raid, KPK investigators found that several inmates enjoyed luxurious facilities such as air conditioning, private TVs, refrigerators and even private cell keys.

For many, the discovery at Sukamiskin prison is hardly a surprise as numerous raids in the past had confirmed the severity of prison corruption in Indonesia. All things considered, it appears that the promise of prison reform in Indonesia is not going to materialize any time soon.

The case of special cells for corruption convicts in Sukamiskin has mounted pressure on the government to take immediate action to put an end to prison corruption in the country.