Cipinang Prison Strengthens Commitment to Eradicate Illegal Mobile Phones and Drugs

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Cipinang Prison in Jakarta is strengthening its commitment to eradicating the circulation of illegal mobile phones (handphones/HP), narcotics, and fraudulent practices within the correctional environment. “Even strict sanctions in the form of dishonourable dismissal (PTDH) will be imposed on employees proven to be involved in legal violations,” said the Head of Cipinang Prison in Jakarta, Wachid Wibowo, during the Clean Correctional Pledge from Illegal Handphones, Drugs, and Fraud event held in the Cipinang Prison hall, East Jakarta, on Friday. The event was attended by dozens of employees and prison officers (wardens) as a means to reinforce integrity and remind all ranks to maintain professionalism in carrying out their duties. According to Wachid, the activity is a follow-up to instructions from the Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjen PAS) and the Minister of Immigration and Corrections regarding the eradication of drug circulation and the use of illegal handphones in prisons and detention centres. “This is an order from Ditjen PAS following the instructions of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Mr Agus Andriyanto. The activity is certainly to reaffirm the attitude of strengthening commitment in upholding the dignity of corrections. Prisons must not become places for storing and using illegal handphones with various methods,” Wachid explained. According to him, the programme to be clean from illegal handphones, drugs, and fraud is part of the broader steps in prison reform that the government is currently strengthening. All employees are urged to work according to regulations and increase vigilance against various potential violations. Wachid emphasised that there is no room for compromise for anyone involved in the misuse of authority or criminal acts in the Cipinang Prison environment. All inmates are required to use the special telecommunications kiosk facilities (wartelsus) that have been provided for communication needs. “There must be no handphones or drugs in Cipinang Prison, and there is no room for compromise for those involved in violations. All communication must use the provided wartelsus. If any employee is found involved, legal processes must be enforced strictly without compromise,” Wachid stated. To support the implementation of the programme, the prison is also enhancing supervision of officers who directly interact with inmates and visitors. Wachid assessed that correctional officers are the frontline in creating change in the prison environment. “We, as the prison head, employees, to the wardens, are the first fortress in implementing change,” Wachid said. Efforts to supervise at Cipinang Prison, Wachid continued, have actually been ongoing since last year. His side succeeded in foiling at least four drug smuggling cases with various methods, from storing crystal meth under shoes to hiding it behind hair. This success even earned Cipinang Prison an award from the Narcotics Crime Directorate of National Police Headquarters for efforts to eradicate drug circulation in the correctional environment. With the spirit of change, Wachid invited all ranks of Cipinang Prison to continue maintaining integrity and working better to realise a clean prison institution free from illegal practices. “Let us make this pledge a living action in our daily lives,” Wachid said.