Minister Imipas Urges Prisons to Utilise Idle Land for Food Security

Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Agus Andrianto has stated that all correctional institutions and state detention houses across Indonesia have been encouraged to utilise idle land to support the government’s food security programme. The statement was made by Agus during a press conference after reviewing the food security programme on Nusakambangan Island, Cilacap Regency, Central Java, on Saturday, alongside Chair of Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Siti Hediati Hariyadi, known as Titiek Soeharto. “All prisons and detention centres are to utilise whatever idle land exists at their locations, optimising it to support the food security programme, primarily to meet internal needs,” he said. According to Agus, the land use can fulfil the food requirements within the prison and detention centre environment. He noted that this effort is partly aimed at preventing food inflation. By meeting basic needs within prisons and detention centres, such as eggs, Agus hopes correctional institutions will not add pressure to market supply, which could potentially influence commodity price increases. “We have also asked prison and detention centre staff across Indonesia to prepare for the egg needs within their facilities so that prices remain stable and we do not become a contributing factor to inflation. That is our goal,” he stated. Agus conveyed that various inputs, evaluations, and directives from the Chair of Commission IV of the DPR RI and her delegation during the working visit would be followed up as part of efforts to improve the ongoing programme. On that occasion, Titiek Soeharto highlighted the transformation of Nusakambangan from a fearsome isolation island into a centre for food security. She described Minister Agus’s policy as a creative step. “If only the cabinet were filled with people like Mr Agus, perhaps President Prabowo Subianto could sleep soundly,” she said. According to her, the transformation occurring on Nusakambangan Island is proof that food security can be achieved in any sector, including ministries related to corrections. “It is also a spur for ministries related to food security to be more diligent so that we can achieve what the President and all of us desire,” she added. Therefore, she hopes the food security programme on Nusakambangan can be replicated by other parties. Titiek further stated that the food security programme is beneficial not only from an economic perspective but also for the personal development of inmates. On Nusakambangan, inmates who are no longer considered high-risk are included in the food security programme. The prisoners involved are those who have served half of their sentence and passed an assessment. She noted that the skills acquired during participation in the food security programme can be used for life after returning to society. Moreover, in addition to gaining skills, inmates also receive a premium for their work.