Minister of Immigration and Corrections Affirms Commitment to Eradicating Narcotics in Prisons and Detention Centres
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Agus Andrianto has affirmed his ministry’s commitment to eradicating narcotics distribution in correctional institutions (lapas) and state detention centres (rutan).
Agus stated that various concrete steps are continuously being taken to tighten supervision and close loopholes for narcotics distribution in lapas and rutan.
“We are committed to taking action without favour. If any officers are proven to be involved, firm sanctions up to legal proceedings will be imposed,” Agus said in his statement in Jakarta on Friday.
The former Head of Polri’s Criminal Investigation Agency explained that the concrete steps include strengthening technology-based security systems through the installation of integrated surveillance cameras or CCTV, as well as increasing the intensity of routine and incidental raids in collaboration with law enforcement agencies such as BNN, Polri, and TNI.
Furthermore, in the internal aspect, he said, enforcing discipline and integrity among officers is a primary concern. The Ministry of Imipas ensures that every violation committed by rogue officers will be firmly addressed in accordance with applicable legal provisions.
Agus revealed that several rogue officers have already been subjected to disciplinary punishments up to severe levels and dismissal for being proven involved in narcotics distribution, and even some high-risk inmates who are kingpins and high-risk individuals among them have been transferred to Nusakambangan Prison.
“The transfer of kingpin and high-risk inmates has so far reached 2,284 people,” he said.
According to him, the transfer of kingpin and high-risk inmates to Nusakambangan is not merely a transfer. However, Agus continued, it has two objectives, namely to move the “root causes” of narcotics in lapas and rutan in the hope that it can clean those lapas and rutan from narcotics transactions and interactions.
Then, as a repressive and rehabilitative measure for those high-risk inmates so that they realise their mistakes and can properly follow guidance programmes when returning to society as independent inmates.
For this reason, he said, the Ministry of Imipas continues to strengthen guidance programmes for inmates, including rehabilitation and personality development programmes, to prevent re-involvement in narcotics abuse, in collaboration with relevant parties, both government institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Agus also emphasised that the issue of narcotics distribution in lapas and rutan is a complex problem that requires comprehensive and collaborative handling.
He also conveyed that he greatly welcomes input and opens space for discussion so that the handling of narcotics distribution problems in lapas and rutan can be resolved more optimally.
“We continue to conduct evaluations and improvements so that lapas and rutan truly become safe guidance places, free from narcotics, and support the social reintegration process of inmates,” he said.
He also appreciated the attention and input given by Commission III of the DPR RI as part of its oversight function over the correctional system.
“We view this as a form of shared concern in strengthening efforts to eradicate narcotics. All forms of narcotics distribution, whether involving inmates or rogue officers, are serious violations and will not be tolerated by us,” Agus stated.