Nine Bandung prisoners die within 3 months<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): At least nine inmates of the Kebon Waru Prison
\nhere have died from various diseases in the last three months,
\naccording to records from the Hasan Sadikin General Hospital.<\/p>\n
The records, made available to the press on Monday, showed
\nthat the bodies of all the deceased had been turned over to the
\nhospital by prison officials.<\/p>\n
The latest inmate to die was identified as Dana, 40, who died
\nat about 3 p.m. last Friday in his cell.<\/p>\n
\"One hour later the body was taken by prison guards to the
\nhospital. The morgue attendants did not find any bruises or
\nwounds on the body, so the hospital was sure the prisoner died
\nfrom an illness,\" a morgue attendant, who wished to remain
\nanonymous, said.<\/p>\n
Another of the deceased was identified as Atang Rusmana, a
\nformer staff member of the local public works office who was
\njailed for corruption. He died on July 24.<\/p>\n
A prison official, who requested anonymity, told The Jakarta
\nPost the state-owned prison could not afford to provide health-
\ncare for the inmates. \"No wonder many of them have been ill,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"There are 1,300 inmates in Kebon Waru Prison, but the
\nofficial fund for their health-care is only Rp 900,000 per year.
\nThis means an inmate gets less than Rp 700 annually for their
\nhealth. We can't do anything to help inmates who are seriously
\nill.\"<\/p>\n
Another prison official said the prison did not hire doctors
\nfor the inmates. Sick inmates are taken to the hospital or the
\nnearest community health center, according to the official.<\/p>\n
Prison director Dedi Sutardi declined to comment on the
\nmatter, though he said he would give a press briefing on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
According to an unconfirmed report, Dedi has often asked
\nulemas to lead prayers for the health and safety of the inmates,
\nbut has not asked the Ministry of Justice to provide more funds
\nto provide the inmates with proper health-care. (25\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nine-bandung-prisoners-die-within-3-months-1447893297",
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