Ferdy Sambo Graduates from Prison: Examining Prisoners' Right to Education

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Head of the Police Professional and Security Division (Kadiv Propam), Ferdy Sambo, is known to have completed a master’s degree in theology from within the Class IIA Cibinong Penitentiary, West Java.

Ferdy Sambo participated in a theology education programme and is registered as a student in the Master’s Programme (S2) at the Global Glow Indonesia College of Theology (STTIGGI).

The news has sparked public questions: are inmates indeed allowed to study from behind bars?

Is the educational facility for inmates a right guaranteed by the state or a form of special treatment?

The Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjen PAS) of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) emphasised that education is a right for all inmates.

“All inmates have the right to obtain education as stipulated in Law No. 22 of 2022 on Corrections, Article 9 letter c,” said Rika to Kompas.com on Friday (15/5/2026).

So, how does the law view the right to education for inmates?

In Article 9 letter c of Law No. 22 of 2022 on Corrections, inmates are entitled to education, teaching, recreational activities, and opportunities to develop their potential.

This means that even while serving a prison sentence, a person does not lose all their rights as a citizen.

The education programmes in place range from equivalency packages A, B, and C to higher education.

“At Cibinong Penitentiary, all inmates are given equal opportunities to continue formal education, such as the ongoing equivalency education packages A, B, and C, which have been followed by 88 inmates since 2024, up to higher education,” she said.

Cibinong Penitentiary also collaborates with STTIGGI in providing scholarship programmes for bachelor’s (S1) and master’s (S2) degrees in theology for Christian inmates.

Ferdy Sambo is one of the inmates participating in that programme.