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Almost 5,000 prisoners in Central Java get sentence cuts
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Graft convict and former Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum (wearing mask) joins other inmates to perform Idul Fitri prayer at the Sukamiskin Prison in Bandung, West Java, in July last year. (The Jakarta Post/Arya Dipa)
T
he Law and Human Rights Ministry has cut the sentences of 4,902 inmates across Central Java by 15 days to two months as part of the Idul Fitri remission policy for Muslim prisoners who display good behavior, said Bambang Sumardiono, the head of the ministry's Central Java office.
As a result, 96 prisoners were freed during Idul Fitri.
The prisoners who received remissions had been convicted of various crimes, including corruption.
"We proposed the inmates to get sentence cuts but the decision was in the hands of the minister," he said on Sunday.
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Meanwhile, Kedungpane Penitentiary in the provincial capital of Semarang extended visiting hours by three hours to 3 p.m. to allow detainees and prisoners to celebrate Idul Fitri with their families and other loved ones.
“The extension applies for four days starting today [Sunday],” penitentiary warden Taufiqurahman said.
The prison has asked for backup personnel from the military and the police to boost the prison’s security.
As of June, the correctional facility held 1,405 people, consisting of 617 detainees and 788 inmates.
There are a total of 12,059 prisoners across Central Java, according to data from the ministry’s Directorate General of Corrections.
Nationally, a total of 66,481 inmates imprisoned for various crimes have had their sentences reduced under the Idul Fitri remission and 382 inmates got early release thanks to the policy. (kuk/bbs)
