81st Independence Day: 20,500 Prisoners in West Java Receive General Remission
A total of 20,500 prisoners residing in correctional facilities and state detention centres across West Java received general remission in conjunction with the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia on Monday (17/8/2026). The remission decision was handed over symbolically by West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan, accompanied by the Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections, Yudi Suseno, at the Class IIA Banceuy Prison in Bandung.
Yudi Suseno detailed that of the total recipients, 20,154 people received General Remission I (partial reduction). Meanwhile, 346 prisoners received General Remission II and were declared immediately free. Based on data as of 16 August 2026, the total number of inmates in West Java reached 27,401 people.
In addition to adult prisoners, sentence reductions were also granted to 86 juvenile inmates. In detail, 85 children received sentence reduction I, and one juvenile inmate received sentence reduction II and was immediately released. Currently, there are 151 juvenile inmates recorded in the West Java region.
The government also provided additional remission for inmates who demonstrated excellent behaviour. A total of 126 people received remission for being active as blood donors, and 43 others received remission as leaders of rehabilitation activities.
“The granting of remission is not merely a reduction in detention period, but serves as motivation for inmates to continue participating in rehabilitation programmes properly. This is an encouragement to change for the better,” said Yudi Suseno.
On the occasion, Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan read the speech of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto. He emphasised that remission is a form of state appreciation for positive behavioural changes by inmates, carried out transparently and fairly.
Erwan expressed hope that for prisoners who are immediately released, this independence momentum becomes a turning point to start a new chapter as law-abiding and productive individuals in society.