BGN Reveals Reasons for Partnering with Prisons to Manage MBG Kitchens
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has revealed the reasons for partnering with correctional institutions (lapas) to support the management of kitchens for the free nutritious meals (MBG) programme. According to him, lapas are considered to have adequate facilities and are located in the midst of communities, thereby able to support the implementation of the programme.
“Lapas is one of the institutions that has adequate facilities and is located in the midst of society. BGN feels assisted by this extraordinary initiative so that the programme can run smoothly,” said Dadan when contacted on Friday, 8 May 2026.
Dadan stated that Sukamiskin Prison in Bandung has become one of the pioneers in implementing MBG. Dadan said that the MBG kitchen at that prison has been trialled since the end of 2024 and has become one of the nutrition fulfilment service units (SPPG) that began running the MBG programme on 6 January 2025.
From the implementation of the programme at Sukamiskin, BGN has seen positive impacts on the inmates involved in managing the MBG kitchen. “We see positive impacts on the inmates that give them a meaningful purpose in life for others. They become unafraid to act for society,” said Dadan.
Although involving lapas as facility providers, Dadan said that the management of the MBG kitchen is still carried out by foundations, similar to other MBG kitchen schemes. “Lapas as an institution that provides facilities. The managers remain foundations like the others,” he said.
Previously, the Director General of Corrections, Mashudi, mentioned that there are 36 MBG kitchens on prison land targeted to start operating by the end of May 2026. These kitchens are spread across various regions in Indonesia and involve inmates as kitchen workers alongside professional staff.
“Hopefully by the end of May it will run. Currently there are 18 plus another 18, so 36 kitchens have been worked on and built,” said Mashudi in Jakarta on Thursday, 7 May 2026, as quoted from Antara.
He said the MBG kitchens are built on prison land areas, both outside and inside the correctional environment. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is said to still pay the land rental fees, which are included as Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP). “They (BGN) pay PNBP, the land rental must be paid,” said Mashudi.
In addition to providing land, the Directorate General of Corrections also involves inmates as MBG kitchen workers. Of the total 46 workers in each kitchen, 20 are from inmates and the rest are professional staff.
Mashudi said the inmates involved have undergone a selection and assessment process, including health checks. “The workers will total 46 people, with 26 professionals and 20 from inmates who have been assessed to be able to work in the kitchen to serve MBG,” he said.