Inmates in Batam need relocation

BATAM, Riau Islands: Batam prison plans to relocate some 400 inmates to other prisons in Riau Islands province, but the plan has been delayed as the prison lacks the Rp 90 million (US$ 9,473) it says it needs to put it into effect.

Prison warden Kunto Petrus said on Tuesday that the transfer of inmates to other facilities was a must as Batam prison had been severely overcrowded for years. Currently, there were 777 inmates in the prison, which had originally been built to house 270.

Kunto said that he would submit a proposal for funding to the Batam Authority. -- JP