Ciangir Prison Involves Local Community in Managing Rice Fields with Inmates

The Ciangir Class IIB Open Prison in Banten is involving the local community to manage 8 hectares of rice fields alongside inmates. Head of Ciangir Open Prison, Soesanto Poedji Djatmiko, stated that 40 local residents are working with 15 inmates under a self-reliance development programme focused on food security. “There are 40 residents involved here. They work the rice fields together with the inmates,” said Tanto, as Soesanto is known, during a visit to Ciangir Prison, Banten, on Thursday. Tanto explained that the prison’s rice fields have been cultivated for the past two years. The types of rice planted vary according to the season and the residents’ interests, sometimes including IR varieties and other types. He noted that production can yield 10 tonnes of wet paddy per harvest each planting season. With two planting cycles possible per year, the total annual harvest reaches 20 tonnes of wet paddy. “The residents involved are not paid a wage; we use a profit-sharing system. So the harvested paddy is split between the prison and the residents,” Tanto said. The rice produced by the inmates not only meets the food needs of Ciangir Open Prison but is also marketed to several markets in Banten and Jakarta. From the rice sales, inmates receive a premium that is saved as capital for when they are released, while the community members receive their share in the form of harvested rice. “So the inmates mingle with the residents in the rice fields. So far there have been no obstacles; the residents are accepting and the inmates can also adapt,” he said. Tanto mentioned that the current total number of inmates at Ciangir Open Prison is 50, with an additional 20 scheduled to join the self-reliance programme on Friday, bringing the total to 70. According to him, inmates placed at Ciangir Open Prison have undergone a rigorous assessment by the Correctional Centre to join the prison’s self-reliance programme. On average, those placed there have served half of their sentence at their original prison. Following an assessment showing no negative records and good behaviour, their status is lowered to low-risk inmates and they are transferred to Ciangir Open Prison to participate in the food security self-reliance programme. “This self-reliance programme is to prepare inmates to return to the community,” Tanto said. In addition to rice fields, the prison also develops vegetable and fruit cultivation, as well as farms for laying hens, free-range chickens, sheep, and cattle. According to him, inmates at Ciangir Open Prison are trained in self-reliance through the food security programme, learning not only agriculture but also how to adapt to society. Head of the Ciangir Correctional Centre, Anjar, stated that requirements for inmates to reside at Ciangir Open Prison include having undergone an assessment, being convicted of a minor crime, and having a guarantor. “Their guarantor here must be clear, whether it is a parent, close relative, or sibling. If they escape, we can look for their family,” he said. According to him, inmates at the open prison do not live in cells but in residential blocks and spend more time outdoors. He said inmates are free to move outside under officer supervision, and it is ensured that none escape. The sanction for escaping is being returned to their original closed prison, where their activities are confined to a cell.