BNN Chief Addresses Prison Overcapacity: 278,376 Inmates, 54% Related to Narcotics
The head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Komjen Suyudi Ario Seto, has spotlighted the number of inmates in prisons across Indonesia. He stated that out of a total of 278,376 prison inmates, 54 percent are related to narcotics cases.
This was conveyed by Suyudi during a working meeting with the House of Representatives’ Commission III discussing the Bill on Narcotics and Psychotropics. He noted that narcotics crimes are massively contributing to prison overcrowding.
“Allow us to unveil the reality that is currently shackling our correctional system. Based on data from the Central Correctional Database System (SDP) as of 12 November 2025 at 07:30, we are faced with a critical situation regarding detainee and inmate data,” Suyudi said during the meeting.
He explained that the total number of prisons across Indonesia can only accommodate 146,260 people. However, the facts on the ground, he said, show that the number of prison inmates has reached 278,376 people.
“Currently, the total capacity of correctional institutions or prisons throughout Indonesia can only accommodate 146,260 people. However, the facts on the ground indicate that the total number of prison inmates, both detainees and convicts, has reached 278,376 people,” Suyudi stated.
“This has resulted in a very concerning overcapacity of 132,116 individuals, or 90 percent of the normal capacity,” he added.
He stated that 54 percent of prison inmates are related to narcotics cases. Suyudi also detailed the findings of these cases, which are a focus for his agency.
“What we all need to note is how narcotics crimes are massively contributing to this density. Out of the total 278,376 prison inmates, 150,202 people or 54% are inmates related to narcotics criminal acts,” Suyudi said.
He explained that for detainee status, out of a total of 59,352 inmates, 27,270 people are embroiled in narcotics cases. In detail, 11,431 are users, and 15,839 are producers or dealers.
“Meanwhile, for convict status, out of a total of 219,024 people, 122,932 are behind bars due to narcotics cases. Of that number, 42,595 are users and 80,337 are producers or dealers,” he said.
Nevertheless, Suyudi highlighted the 54,026 prison inmates who are narcotics users. In his view, these users could actually be directed towards rehabilitation.
“From the aggregation of that data, we can clearly see that there are a total of 96,176 actors in networks, namely producers and dealers who indeed deserve and must undergo punishment in prison. However, on the other side, there are a total of 54,026 narcotics users who are currently also crowding our detention cells,” Suyudi said.
“The figure of over 54,000 users should be a collective reflection. They are victims who truly need recovery through medical and social rehabilitation, not just being locked behind iron bars,” he added.