Indonesia prison reform advocates call for educational focus

Calls for reform within the Indonesian correctional system emphasize transitioning prisons from punitive institutions to centers for education and empowerment. This shift aligns with the new National Criminal Code (KUHP), which is set to take effect on January 2, 2026, replacing the Dutch-era code. The new legislation prioritizes alternatives to short-term imprisonment, such as social work, probation, and supervisory sentences.

As of July 2026, Indonesia faces significant prison overcrowding, with approximately 274,761 inmates occupying facilities designed for 152,514 people, representing an 80 percent excess capacity. Rafli Maulana, Chairman of Tunas Indonesia Raya in Serang, argued that without vocational skills, released inmates may simply return to society as unresolved problems. Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Agus Andrianto, has also noted that rising recidivism rates suggest current sentencing methods have not been effective.