Bill expected to handle distinct crimes
Bill expected to handle distinct crimes
JAKARTA (JP): A new bill on the correctional system is
expected to better equip the authorities to deal with the
increasingly diverse and sophisticated crimes, says Minister of
Justice Oetojo Oesman.
The bill, submitted by the government in late March, is now
under deliberation in the House of Representatives.
"Because of the increasingly obscure boundaries between
countries...foreigners, too, represent potential criminals and
may have to be imprisoned here," the minister said in the second
plenary session on the bill yesterday.
In light of the new trends, Indonesia "needs to establish
patterns, regulations and systems of rehabilitation...which
guarantee the safety of the national interest," he told the
meeting, presided over by Deputy House Speaker Soerjadi.
Oetojo said that the proposed law was expected to change the
prevailing attitude of correctional institution administrators
towards convicts.
It will introduce the principle of imprisonment as preparation
for the return of convicts to society, rather than as an act of
"vengeance and intimidation" on the part of the state, he said.
The Indonesian correctional system, he said, would in future
stress the provision of guidance, including "prevention, healing
and education".
These principles would represent a fundamental change to the
correctional system, which used to stress "vengeance and
intimidation" against convicts, he said.
The law will also set out ways in which convicts can be
provided with the necessary skills to survive and be useful
members of society.
"This preparation...will give convicts knowledge, skills and
spiritual guidance through independence- and personality-building
programs," he said.
"Whether this effort will be successful depends on the
convicts in question and on society in general. This question is
beyond the responsibility of the correctional institutions," he
said.
Oetojo said the law, if passed, would also regulate issues
such as family leave, efforts to promote the welfare of wardens
and possible cooperation with business ventures in enhancing
convicts' skills.
Regarding leave for convicts, Oetojo said it would be
regulated further in government directives.
The bill will replace some laws and regulations inherited from
the Dutch colonial administration and still in force.
Set to be changed are regulations on imprisonment, parole,
enforced education and conditional release.
Oetojo's explanation of the bill, which was given in response
to the House factions' previous queries, also covered the issue
of improving the professionalism of prison guards and career
planning programs for prison staff.
Chapter eight of the bill covers requirements for the
promotion of wardens, including the stipulation that they should
have an appropriate educational background.
The bill also regulates the working hours and other conditions
of wardens' work, taking into account the risks involved. The
government is considering providing the guards with additional
benefits in view of the nature of their work.
Alumni of a government academy which trains and educates
wardens complained earlier this year that their welfare had been
neglected and asked for better facilities. (swe)