30% of Nias inmates report to police

JAKARTA: Around 30 percent of inmates from Gunung Sitoli Penitentiary in Nias, who escaped during last week's massive earthquake, have reported to local police stations, according to a senior officer at National Police Headquarters.

National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Zainuri Lubis said on Monday that around 53 of 178 inmates on the loose had turned themselves in to police.

During the 8.7-magnitude earthquake, the inmates fled from the prison as it was ripped apart.

"Since the building was damaged by the quake, they cannot return to the prison, but they still have to report daily to police stations," Zainuri said.

He said the police would pursue the remaining inmates and would add jail time to the sentences of those who were uncooperative. -- JP