Indonesia to revise narcotics laws and use remote islands for drug rehabilitation

narcotics law revision prison overcrowding drug rehabilitation uninhabited islands correctional services

Indonesia is moving to expedite revisions to its narcotics and psychotropic laws to address severe overcrowding in prisons and detention centers. Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra reported that inmate populations are currently nearly double the intended capacity, with drug-related offenses accounting for over 50 percent of the total inmate population.

To alleviate this crisis, the government is proposing a shift in focus from criminal prosecution to rehabilitation for drug users, following directives from President Prabowo Subianto. One key proposal involves utilizing uninhabited, remote islands as dedicated rehabilitation and training centers. These programs would involve the military or police to provide discipline training, alongside vocational instruction in sectors such as farming, fishing, or livestock.

Additionally, there is potential to develop these remote locations for economic activities, such as crocodile farming. The government aims to finalize the legislative amendments by the end of the year. In a separate administrative development, Yusril Ihza Mahendra is coordinating the appointment of an acting Director General of Correctional Services following the resignation of Mashudi.

Entities

Agus Andrianto · Indonesia · Mashudi · Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs · Ministry of Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs · Prabowo Subianto · Yusril Ihza Mahendra

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Indonesia is expediting revisions to narcotics laws to differentiate between drug users and dealers to reduce prison overcrowding. en.antaranews.com · en.tempo.co
[○ 1 SOURCE] Legal processes against former Director General of Correctional Services Mashudi will continue despite his resignation.
[○ 1 SOURCE] An inspection at Cibinong Prison revealed luxury facilities, including rooms with living rooms, televisions, and refrigerators.
[● 7 SOURCES] Over 50 percent of inmates in Indonesia's correctional system are serving time for drug-related offenses. en.antaranews.com · en.tempo.co · news.republika.co.id · www.matamata.com · katadata.co.id · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The status of Wisnu Hani Putranto, Head of Cibinong Class IIA Prison, has been revoked.
[● 2 SOURCES] Yusril Ihza Mahendra will coordinate with the Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs to appoint an acting Director General of Correctional Services. www.antaranews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The government aims to complete the narcotics law revisions by the end of the year. en.antaranews.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Remote islands used for rehabilitation could potentially be developed for economic activities like crocodile farming. news.republika.co.id · katadata.co.id · www.viva.co.id · www.matamata.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The government is considering using uninhabited islands as rehabilitation and training centers for drug offenders. en.tempo.co · news.republika.co.id · www.matamata.com · katadata.co.id · www.viva.co.id · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Rehabilitation programs on remote islands may include discipline training by the military or police and vocational training in farming or fishing. news.republika.co.id · www.matamata.com · katadata.co.id · www.viva.co.id · en.tempo.co · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Prison populations are currently nearly double the intended capacity.