Harvest of 150 kg of Fish Sold Out, Banjarmasin Prison: Ensuring Food Security Sustainability

The Class IIA Banjarmasin Prison in South Kalimantan harvested 150 kg of patin fish from an aquaculture pond worked on by inmates. The harvest was immediately absorbed by the market, specifically by food vendors.

“This is not just a harvest, but the result of an ongoing learning process,” said the Head of Banjarmasin Prison, Akhmad Herriansyah, in a statement on Wednesday (25/3/2026).

The harvest took place on Tuesday (24/3). “We want to ensure that every ward under our care has skills that can be utilised after returning to society,” Akhmad added.

On the same occasion, the Head of the Work Activities Section, Bagus Paras Etika, acknowledged that the fisheries sector is a focus for the Class IIA Banjarmasin Prison. With the proven aquaculture capabilities within the prison, he hopes that inmates will leave with knowledge that can serve as capital for independence.

“We continue to encourage activities that have beneficial and economic value. The hope is that the wards not only serve their sentences but also prepare for the future,” he stated.

Regarding the food security programme in the tilapia fish pond, an inmate with initials DS expressed pride in being able to harvest the results of his cultivation. He claimed to have been involved from the beginning to the end.

“From the start to the harvest, we learned a lot. This becomes a valuable experience and makes us more confident in moving forward,” he said.

The Class IIA Banjarmasin Prison ensures the effective and concrete implementation of inmate independence coaching, in line with the directives of the Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services (Menimipas) Agus Andrianto. The greatest hope is that the wards are able to produce economically valuable and competitive products in the market, not just acquire knowledge and skills.