Nine Bandung prisoners die within 3 months

BANDUNG (JP): At least nine inmates of the Kebon Waru Prison here have died from various diseases in the last three months, according to records from the Hasan Sadikin General Hospital.

The records, made available to the press on Monday, showed that the bodies of all the deceased had been turned over to the hospital by prison officials.

The latest inmate to die was identified as Dana, 40, who died at about 3 p.m. last Friday in his cell.

"One hour later the body was taken by prison guards to the hospital. The morgue attendants did not find any bruises or wounds on the body, so the hospital was sure the prisoner died from an illness," a morgue attendant, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

Another of the deceased was identified as Atang Rusmana, a former staff member of the local public works office who was jailed for corruption. He died on July 24.

A prison official, who requested anonymity, told The Jakarta Post the state-owned prison could not afford to provide health- care for the inmates. "No wonder many of them have been ill," he said.

"There are 1,300 inmates in Kebon Waru Prison, but the official fund for their health-care is only Rp 900,000 per year. This means an inmate gets less than Rp 700 annually for their health. We can't do anything to help inmates who are seriously ill."

Another prison official said the prison did not hire doctors for the inmates. Sick inmates are taken to the hospital or the nearest community health center, according to the official.

Prison director Dedi Sutardi declined to comment on the matter, though he said he would give a press briefing on Tuesday.

According to an unconfirmed report, Dedi has often asked ulemas to lead prayers for the health and safety of the inmates, but has not asked the Ministry of Justice to provide more funds to provide the inmates with proper health-care. (25/sur)