PRD activists make the best of time inside<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Malnutrition? Intellectual confinement? None of
\nthese remotely describe the experiences of seven young political
\nactivists from the Democratic People's Party (PRD) who are
\nincarcerated at Cipinang Prison, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Budiman Sudjatmiko, Garda Sembiring, Ignatius Damianus
\nPranowo, Yakobus Eko Kurniawan, Suroso, Petrus Heriyanto and Ken
\nBudha Kusumandaru are each serving prison terms ranging from four
\nyears to 13 years. They were convicted for instigating riots
\nafter the bloody takeover of the headquarters of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI) in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on July 27,
\n1996.<\/p>\n
After three years in jail and rejecting one clemency offer
\nfrom President B.J. Habibie, the daily life of the young
\npolitical prisoners is far removed from the grim seclusion many
\npeople imagine.<\/p>\n
Especially following Soeharto's fall from power.<\/p>\n
Serving time appears to have been an opportunity for the
\nactivists to broaden their political and educational horizons.<\/p>\n
\"I am now in my third semester of studying economics at Open
\nUniversity,\" Petrus said during visiting hour. He glanced around
\nhim, adding that three of his friends also enrolled in the
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
Petrus acknowledged that being in prison increased his
\nmotivation to study.<\/p>\n
\"There is certainly more time, and I am not as busy with the
\ndaily distraction of being an activist in a movement of
\nstruggle.\"<\/p>\n
Study modules arrive in the mail and the politicians-turned-
\nprisoners-turned-students hold daily discussions on the material.
\nAn outside examiner tests them at the prison.<\/p>\n
\"There is actually a similar study system adopted by the
\nofficers of the armed forces,\" Petrus quipped.<\/p>\n
He added that the only difference was that the officers took
\ntheir tests in a military complex while Petrus and his friends
\nsat them in the prison complex.<\/p>\n
There also is an increased flow of information, with the
\nprison administration's leniency extending to newspaper
\nsubscriptions and television viewing. The group shares
\nsubscriptions to Kompas and Suara Pembaruan dailies, and watches
\nthe TV news every day.<\/p>\n
\"We could've subscribed to more dailies, but decided only to
\nhave these two due to our financial constraints,\" said Budiman.<\/p>\n
He said they gained more privileges after Soeharto resigned.<\/p>\n
\"Before, visitors were not even allowed to bring us books,\"
\nsaid Kurniawan.<\/p>\n
Written materials had to pass inspection by the prison guards.<\/p>\n
A frequent visitor of the men said English-language books
\nwould definitely not pass censorship.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe it was due to the guards' lack of English proficiency,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
With time on their hands and the restriction on reading
\nlifted, Budiman and his friends spend most of the day reading,
\ndiscussing the political situation and rehashing political
\nthoughts.<\/p>\n
During the general election campaign, Budiman and his friends
\nheld political forums inside the prison's visiting hall and
\nconducted discussions with visiting party cadres.<\/p>\n
The prisoners arranged the brown chairs and tables in a circle
\nto hold their forum. Results of the discussion were conveyed to
\nparty cadres outside.<\/p>\n
Visiting hours also provided activists with their food rations
\nfor the week.<\/p>\n
Although meals are distributed three times a day to prisoners,
\nthe seven activists choose to cook their own food. Visitors
\nusually bring boxes of instant noodles and cake, and sometimes
\nprovide raw ingredients.<\/p>\n
\"It is common for us to gain a few kilos here and there. Our
\nnutrition in here is somehow better,\" said Petrus.<\/p>\n
A more sedate routine also may be responsible for the weight-
\ngain factor -- PRD activist Dita Indah Sari, recently released
\nfrom Tangerang Women's Prison, reportedly gained three kilograms
\nwhile imprisoned.<\/p>\n
Prison, however comfortable it may seem, is still a place of
\nconfinement.<\/p>\n
The political activists live in Block III E, together with
\ncriminals sentenced for corruption and murder. One of their
\nblockmates is Oki Harnoko Dewantono, the notorious murderer of
\nthree people, including his own brother.<\/p>\n
Prisoners are locked in their cells from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. All
\nletters from prisoners to the outside are censored by guards and
\nreceive a stamp of approval.<\/p>\n
They compared living in Cipinang to residing in any large
\ncommunity. Each person contributes; Kurniawan, for example,
\nchaired the prison's soccer championship while Suroso organized
\nthe badminton competition.<\/p>\n
Sport is the favorite pastime behind prison walls. Some of the
\nprisoners are former professional athletes, but most are merely
\nseeking exercise.<\/p>\n
\"We always look forward to events, like Independence Day,
\nbecause they provide opportunities to be involved in activities,\"
\nsaid Petrus.<\/p>\n
He warned of the danger of inactivity in prison. He said
\ndepression can lead to prisoners finding themselves \"paralyzed\"
\nwhen they leave.<\/p>\n
What is the main difference between life on the inside and
\nout?<\/p>\n
\"Here, we don't hold demonstrations. Anything else may be
\npossible. But not that,\" said Petrus.(Yudha Kartohadiprodjo)<\/p>",
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