Koster Encourages Inmates to Start MSMEs After Release from Prison

A total of 3,026 inmates in Bali received remission in conjunction with the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence. Bali Governor Wayan Koster encouraged inmates who will return to society to have skills and be self-reliant through MSME businesses.

Based on data from the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections, there were 4,938 inmates in Bali as of 17 August 2026. This number consisted of 3,698 convicts and 1,240 detainees.

Of that number, 3,060 inmates were proposed to receive the 2026 General Remission and General Sentence Reduction (PMPU). After the realisation process, 3,026 people received remission or sentence reduction.

The details are that 3,023 convicts and three juvenile inmates received remission. A total of 2,922 convicts received General Remission I (RU I), while 101 people received General Remission II (RU II). Three juvenile inmates received PMPU I.

At Kerobokan Class IIA Prison, 1,041 convicts met the requirements and received the 2026 General Remission. A total of 996 people received RU I, while 45 people received RU II.

Of the 45 RU II recipients, 34 convicts were immediately released after receiving sentence reductions.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster said remission must be a momentum for inmates to improve themselves and prepare for life after returning to society.

“They must be grateful so that they become orderly, disciplined inmates and can soon return to society,” Koster said on Monday (17/8/2026).

According to Koster, rehabilitation in prison must provide provisions that inmates can use after release. One of these is through skills that can be developed into businesses.

“Inside, they are given various skills. The hope is that these can be useful, both independently to open MSME businesses and so on,” he said.

Koster said the Bali Provincial Government is also opening opportunities to accommodate the economic activities of inmates who have returned to society through institutions such as cooperatives.

“We can accommodate them in the form of cooperative institutions and so on,” he said.

When asked about the readiness of the cooperatives, Koster said some have already been prepared. “Cooperatives, some have been prepared,” he added.

However, remission was not granted to all convicts. At Kerobokan Prison, 346 convicts did not meet the requirements and were not proposed to receive the 2026 General Remission.

Of that number, 132 people were recorded in Register F for committing disciplinary violations. Then 90 people had not shown good behaviour for six months.

In addition, there were seven convicts serving life sentences, 31 people undergoing subsidiary fines, eight people undergoing revocation of parole, and six people who failed in the integration process.

Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections Andi Wijaya Rivai emphasised that remission is granted based on requirements, including inmate behaviour.

“The category for receiving remission is good behaviour and there is an assessment. If they do not behave well, they certainly do not receive remission and do not commit violations,” Andi said.

He explained that the amount of remission is given according to the length of time the inmate has served their sentence.

“A minimum of two months, a maximum of five months, depending on how long they have served their sentence,” he said.

Andi added that granting remission is not only a reward for fulfilling requirements, but also part of the rehabilitation process so that inmates can return to society.

On the other hand, Kerobokan Prison still faces overcapacity problems. As of 17 August 2026, the number of occupants reached 1,866 people, while the prison capacity is only 1,480 people. This means there is an overcapacity of 26.08 percent.

Regarding the plan to relocate Kerobokan Prison, Koster said the process is still ongoing.

“Still in process,” Koster said briefly.

With the granting of remission, the government hopes that inmates who return to society will not repeat legal violations, but will be able to utilise the skills acquired during rehabilitation to build a more independent life.

A total of 3,170 convicts and juvenile inmates in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) received remission and sentence reduction in conjunction with the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence. Of that number, 26 people were immediately released.

The handover of the Remission Decree was carried out by NTB Governor Lalu Muhammad Iqbal to inmate representatives at West Lombok Class IIA Prison on Monday (17/8/2026).

Of the total 3,170 recipients, 3,129 were convicts who received General Remission (RU). The details are that 3,104 people received RU I in the form of partial sentence reduction and 25 people received RU II or immediate release.

Meanwhile, 41 juvenile inmates received General Sentence Reduction (PMPU). A total of 40 juveniles received PMPU I, while one juvenile inmate received PMPU II or immediate release.

West Lombok Class IIA Prison was the Correctional Technical Implementation Unit with the highest number of remission recipients in NTB, namely 1,256 people. Next was Sumbawa Besar Class IIA Prison with 592 people and Dompu Class IIB Prison with 386 people.

The amount of remission and sentence reduction given to convicts and juvenile inmates ranged from one to six months.

NTB Governor Lalu Muhammad Iqbal said remission is a form of state appreciation to inmates who meet the requirements. According to him, remission is also part of the rehabilitation process so that inmates are ready to return to society.

“The Independence Day momentum is expected to be an encouragement for remission recipients to continue improving their quality so that they are ready to return to society as better, productive and responsible individuals,” Iqbal said while reading the message of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto.

A total of 2,246 inmates in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) received remission.