Chinese New Year: Indonesia Grants Sentence Cuts to 44 Inmates

He noted in a statement here on Tuesday that the government awarded special remissions ranging from 15 days to two months to 43 adult prisoners and a 15-day sentence cut to one child in conflict with the law.

“The state honours our fellow citizens who have demonstrated positive changes while serving their sentences, including by granting special remissions and sentence reductions on this year’s Chinese New Year celebration,” Andrianto said.

He emphasised that the government proceeded with the penalty relief following strict, objective assessments of convicts, assuring the public that all recipients had met the administrative and substantive criteria required by law.

“In addition to being a form of respect for inmates’ positive behaviour, this policy is also intended to help the government address overcrowding in correctional and detention facilities,” the minister stated.

Director General of Corrections Mashudi seconded the minister’s statement, saying the government regards prison term cuts during religious holidays as part of a continuous correctional strategy.

“Beyond penalty relief, remissions and sentence reductions serve as instruments to encourage inmates to keep improving themselves and preparing for reintegration with society,” he remarked.

On financial savings, the official underscored that the Chinese New Year remissions and sentence reductions enabled the ministry to cut nearly Rp25.5 million (US$1,500) from daily inmate consumption budgets, based on the number of days reduced.

Mashudi further stressed that his office remains committed to upholding the rights of all prisoners in Indonesia in line with regulations while applying a measurable, accountable, and fair approach to correctional practices.