Govt grants remissions to 1,052 inmates on Vesak Day
“This is a form of state recognition for inmates and juvenile inmates who have demonstrated positive behavioral changes and actively participated in correctional programs,” Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs Agus Andrianto said in a statement here in Jakarta on Sunday.
Of the total 1,052 recipients, 1,041 among them received Special Remission I, granting them a partial sentence reduction; while six others received Special Remission II and were immediately released. Meanwhile, five juvenile inmates received Special Sentence Reductions.
According to the ministry’s data, there are currently 1,944 Buddhist inmates and detainees in Indonesia; 1,047 of whom were adult inmates who met the requirements for the Vesak Day remissions.
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North Sumatra recorded the highest number of recipients with 186 individuals, followed by West Kalimantan with 163 inmates, and Jakarta with 140 inmates.
Andrianto expressed hope that the remission granted would motivate them to prepare for a successful reintegration into society.
“The spirit of Vesak should serve as a moment of self-reflection to continuously improve behavior, strengthen self-control, and elevate spiritual and moral quality in daily life,” he said.
According to Correctional Database System data as of May 21, 2026, Indonesia’s total inmate population stands at 270,779, comprising 55,457 detainees and 215,322 convicted prisoners.
Meanwhile, as of May 22, 2026, the country holds 1,663 minors in the correctional system, comprising 323 detained juveniles and 1,340 convicted juvenile inmates.
Director General of Correctional Services Mashudi noted that granting these special Vesak Day remissions and sentence reductions also helps lower state expenditures on inmate food provisions, saving Rp840.5 million (approximately US$47,156) on adult inmates and Rp2.1 million on juvenile inmates.
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Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Raka Adji