# Indonesia narcotics law reforms and prison management

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indonesia-correctional-and-narcotics-law-reforms
> Updated: 2026-10-09T11:21:54.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

The Indonesian government is advancing reforms to address severe prison overcrowding, driven by the fact that over 50 percent of inmates are held for drug offenses. Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra has announced plans to expedite revisions to the Narcotics and Psychotropics Law, aiming to shift the legal focus from criminal prosecution toward rehabilitation for users. The government aims to finalize these legislative amendments by the end of the year.

To implement this shift, President Prabowo Subianto is proposing the establishment of drug rehabilitation centers on remote, uninhabited islands, including locations in the East Belitung Regency that are reportedly up to 700 hectares in size. These facilities are intended to differentiate between victims and dealers by focusing on rehabilitating victims. The government plans to involve the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) to provide discipline training and vocational guidance in sectors such as farming, fishing, or livestock. There is also potential to develop these remote locations for economic activities, such as crocodile farming.

Parallel to these policy shifts, the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs is managing leadership transitions following the resignation of the Director General of Correctional Services, Mashudi. Yusril stated that an acting director will be appointed to prevent a vacuum in service delivery. Legal investigations remain active regarding Mashudi and Wisnu Hani Putranto, the former head of Cibinong Class IIA Prison, following reports of luxury facilities within the prison, which the Ombudsman RI previously identified as containing high-standard rooms equipped with living rooms and appliances.

## Claims

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

## Timeline

### 2026-10-09: Indonesia to revise narcotics laws and use remote islands for drug rehabilitation

Indonesia plans to revise narcotics laws and use uninhabited islands for drug offender rehabilitation to combat severe prison overcrowding, where inmates currently reach nearly double capacity.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-reforms-narcotics-laws-and-manages-correctional-leadership-changes

### 2026-10-06: Indonesia to establish rehabilitation centers for drug-using inmates

Indonesia is planning to establish rehabilitation and re-education centers for drug-using inmates to combat prison overcrowding, focusing primarily on those of productive age.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-to-establish-rehabilitation-centers-for-drug-using-inmates

---
Cite as: Indonesia narcotics law reforms and prison management. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indonesia-correctional-and-narcotics-law-reforms