Lubuk Basung Prison offers cash and Qurans to inmates who memorise verses

Lubuk Basung Class II B Correctional Facility (Lapas) in Agam Regency, West Sumatra, is giving cash and Qurans to inmates who memorise several short surahs as part of religious rehabilitation during their sentences.

Head of Lubuk Basung Class II B Prison, Budi Suharto, said on Saturday that inmates will receive money and a Quran if they can memorise the Asmaul Husna, Surah Al Infitar, and Al Baqarah.

“This is a competition we are holding for inmates, and the prizes will be handed over to them,” he said.

He said the Qurans given to them can be used for recitation in their cells while serving their sentences.

In this way, they can remain calm while serving their sentences.

“By reading the Quran frequently, they will be calm and will not engage in other negative activities,” he said.

He acknowledged that the prize-giving programme for inmates originated from discussions with inmates when he first moved to Lubuk Basung Class II B Prison.

It turned out that some of them did not own a Quran, and he immediately launched the programme.

“This is the basis for my creating this programme in religious rehabilitation for them,” he said.

In addition to this programme, inmates are also given training in welding, flower making, gardening, fish farming, raising laying hens, laying ducks, and other skills.

This is done so that after completing their sentences, they will already have skills that can be developed, enabling them to be accepted by their families and the surrounding community.

Meanwhile, Agam Regent Benni Warlis expressed support for the rehabilitation carried out by Lubuk Basung Class II B Prison in equipping inmates with various skills that can be used to earn a living after serving their sentences.

“The knowledge provided has many benefits for creating job opportunities,” he said.