Medan Class I Prison grants special Waisak remission to 35 inmates

Medan - The Class I Medan Prison in North Sumatra has granted special Waisak remission for 2570 BE (2026) to 35 Buddhist inmates who met the required criteria. Class I Medan Prison Chief Fonika Affandi stated that the remission is an inmate right and a form of national recognition for positive behavioural changes demonstrated during their sentence. ‘Remission is not merely a reduction in sentence length but also an appreciation of inmates’ dedication to rehabilitation programmes, self-improvement, and preparing to reintegrate healthily and productively into society,’ Affandi said in Medan on Monday. Affandi noted that there are 46 Buddhist inmates at the prison, of whom 35 received special Waisak remission in 2026, all of whom are subsequent remission recipients. He detailed that the remissions granted included one month for eight inmates, one month and 15 days for 11, and two months for 16. Eleven inmates did not receive remission as they failed to meet the criteria: five serving life sentences, two with death sentences, three still in pre-trial detention, and one serving a substitute sentence for unpaid fines. Affandi added that the remission aims to motivate inmates to continue improving themselves, adhere to regulations, and participate fully in rehabilitation programmes. ‘Waisak serves as an opportunity for inmates to reflect, strengthen self-control, enhance spiritual and moral qualities, and prepare to re-enter society as better individuals,’ he said.