Inmates may get 'biological' leave

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The local office of the Ministry of Justice is considering giving some well-behaved long-term prisoners leave to meet their families, Antara quoted an official here Saturday.

Head of the provincial office of the Ministry of Justice Semiyono S.P. said the ministry thinks it humane to let the prisoners go on home leave during which they can meet their "biological needs" with their wives.

"Those prisoners are humans with physical and psychological relationships," Semiyono said. "Preventing them from meeting those needs will make them rebel."

Those sentenced to five years may be given one leave a year, and those with 10 and 15 years terms may get two and three leaves a year respectively. (swe)