On National Children's Day, Ministry Reduces Sentences for 1,050 Juvenile Inmates
The Directorate General of Corrections at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Ditjenpas Kemenimipas) granted sentence reductions (PMP) to 1,050 juvenile inmates nationwide on Thursday, marking the 42nd National Children’s Day (HAN) in 2026. Of these, 990 juvenile inmates received a partial reduction (PMP HAN I), while 60 were immediately released after receiving a full remission (PMP HAN II).
Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto expressed hope that the remissions would motivate all juvenile inmates to continuously improve themselves, maintain good behaviour, comply with all rehabilitation programmes, and prepare to become individuals who benefit their families, communities, nation, and state. “Make this opportunity a starting point to reorganise your lives. Keep learning, worshipping, respecting your parents, appreciating teachers and correctional officers, and building high aspirations. Never feel that the past determines your future,” Agus said.
The retired police general stated that the 2026 HAN theme, “Love Children, Protect and Build the Future,” affirms that every juvenile inmate retains the right to grow, learn, be guided, and prepare for their future. He noted that the rehabilitation conducted in Special Child Development Institutions (LPKA) is not retribution, but rather a manifestation of the state’s responsibility to return children to a better life. “Juvenile inmates undergo rehabilitation through an approach that prioritises the best interests of the child, respect for human dignity, and restorative justice,” Agus said.
He conveyed that the rehabilitation process in LPKA should not be viewed as the end of a child’s journey, but rather the beginning of a process of change towards a better life. “All rehabilitation programmes implemented are directed at building character, improving academic and vocational abilities, strengthening religious values, fostering discipline, building responsibility, and developing life skills that will serve as provisions when they return to their families and communities,” he stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Director General of Corrections Mashudi said the remissions for juvenile inmates are not only the fulfilment of rights granted under statutory provisions but also a tangible manifestation of the state’s commitment to appreciating every process of behavioural change demonstrated during rehabilitation. “Through these remissions, we have realised respect for the rights of juvenile inmates, fostered motivation for behavioural change, and achieved rehabilitation success,” he said.
He added that the HAN remissions support the theme of ‘loving children’, strengthen child protection aspects as per the ‘protect’ theme, build a better future for children, reinforce the social reintegration function, reduce the risk of repeat offences, and encourage the success of the Corrections System’s objectives. This year, the highest number of HAN remission recipients came from North Sumatra with 102 juvenile inmates, followed by West Java with 96, and East Java with 80. Through the HAN remissions, the state saved IDR 1,075,140,000 in meal costs for juvenile inmates.
The remissions for juvenile inmates are part of a rehabilitative approach that places the best interests of the child as the top priority. This is in line with the principles of Law Number 11 of 2012 on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System and Law Number 22 of 2022 on Corrections. The length of sentence reductions granted on HAN 2026 ranged from 1 month to 4 months. For PMP HAN I, 660 juvenile inmates received a 1-month reduction, 206 received 2 months, 105 received 3 months, and 19 received 4 months. Meanwhile, for PMP HAN II, 31 juvenile inmates received a 1-month reduction, 14 each received 2 and 3 months, and 1 juvenile inmate received a 4-month reduction.