Bogor needs new prison

BOGOR (JP): Bogor mayoralty is in need of a new and larger penitentiary to replace the existing over-capacity prison, which was built by the Dutch colonial government.

Chief warden of Paledang Penitentiary Rachmat Tanoe said on Tuesday he was discussing with officials of the mayoralty administration the possibility of building a new prison outside the town.

Standing on a two-hectare plot in downtown Bogor, the old prison is home to 613 prisoners. Rachmat said the cells in the penitentiary "are inhuman and unable to accommodate" all the prisoners comfortably.

"We're concerned about the conditions faced by our brothers in the penitentiary. But they understand the situation and have not complained," Rachmat said.

The Paledang Penitentiary has four blocks, each accommodating more than 50 prisoners, almost twice the ideal rate of 28, according to Rachmat.

Apart from inmates, the penitentiary also hosts detainees under the custody of Bogor and Depok Police. (21)