Inmates at Ciangir Open Prison Express Gratitude

The sun shone brightly that afternoon, mirroring the smile on the face of Mukhriji (21), an inmate at the Ciangir Class IIB Open Prison in Banten, as he shared the news that one of the sheep under his care had just given birth. The female lamb appeared healthy, its bleating echoing through the pen as journalists arrived to cover the food security programme implemented within the minimum-security facility.

Although the newborn lamb has yet to be named, its birth brings new hope for Mukhriji, affirming that his livestock farming skills are progressing well. For one month, Mukhriji has been entrusted with caring for the sheep cultivated at the Assimilation and Education Facility (SAE) of the Ciangir Open Prison. He is one of only two inmates currently assigned to the sheep farming section as part of the independence training programme.

For the young man from Banten, this is a blessing, as the programme allows him to gain vocational expertise in sheep farming before his eventual release. During his time at the Ciangir Open Prison, Mukhriji feels as though he is not merely serving a sentence. Due to the nature of the open prison, he spends most of his time outdoors, and his accommodation consists of shared rooms rather than traditional prison cells.

Throughout his period of incarceration, Mukhriji spends his days tending to the sheep, feeding them, cleaning the pens, and administering medicine to sick animals, returning to his quarters only at night. He is determined to develop a sheep farm in his hometown once he is released. “Previously, I had no knowledge whatsoever about sheep farming. After being trained here, I now possess the skills and know how to treat sick sheep,” Mukhriji said.