PRD activists make the best of time inside

JAKARTA (JP): Malnutrition? Intellectual confinement? None of these remotely describe the experiences of seven young political activists from the Democratic People's Party (PRD) who are incarcerated at Cipinang Prison, East Jakarta.

Budiman Sudjatmiko, Garda Sembiring, Ignatius Damianus Pranowo, Yakobus Eko Kurniawan, Suroso, Petrus Heriyanto and Ken Budha Kusumandaru are each serving prison terms ranging from four years to 13 years. They were convicted for instigating riots after the bloody takeover of the headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on July 27, 1996.

After three years in jail and rejecting one clemency offer from President B.J. Habibie, the daily life of the young political prisoners is far removed from the grim seclusion many people imagine.

Especially following Soeharto's fall from power.

Serving time appears to have been an opportunity for the activists to broaden their political and educational horizons.

"I am now in my third semester of studying economics at Open University," Petrus said during visiting hour. He glanced around him, adding that three of his friends also enrolled in the program.

Petrus acknowledged that being in prison increased his motivation to study.

"There is certainly more time, and I am not as busy with the daily distraction of being an activist in a movement of struggle."

Study modules arrive in the mail and the politicians-turned- prisoners-turned-students hold daily discussions on the material. An outside examiner tests them at the prison.

"There is actually a similar study system adopted by the officers of the armed forces," Petrus quipped.

He added that the only difference was that the officers took their tests in a military complex while Petrus and his friends sat them in the prison complex.

There also is an increased flow of information, with the prison administration's leniency extending to newspaper subscriptions and television viewing. The group shares subscriptions to Kompas and Suara Pembaruan dailies, and watches the TV news every day.

"We could've subscribed to more dailies, but decided only to have these two due to our financial constraints," said Budiman.

He said they gained more privileges after Soeharto resigned.

"Before, visitors were not even allowed to bring us books," said Kurniawan.

Written materials had to pass inspection by the prison guards.

A frequent visitor of the men said English-language books would definitely not pass censorship.

"Maybe it was due to the guards' lack of English proficiency," she said.

With time on their hands and the restriction on reading lifted, Budiman and his friends spend most of the day reading, discussing the political situation and rehashing political thoughts.

During the general election campaign, Budiman and his friends held political forums inside the prison's visiting hall and conducted discussions with visiting party cadres.

The prisoners arranged the brown chairs and tables in a circle to hold their forum. Results of the discussion were conveyed to party cadres outside.

Visiting hours also provided activists with their food rations for the week.

Although meals are distributed three times a day to prisoners, the seven activists choose to cook their own food. Visitors usually bring boxes of instant noodles and cake, and sometimes provide raw ingredients.

"It is common for us to gain a few kilos here and there. Our nutrition in here is somehow better," said Petrus.

A more sedate routine also may be responsible for the weight- gain factor -- PRD activist Dita Indah Sari, recently released from Tangerang Women's Prison, reportedly gained three kilograms while imprisoned.

Prison, however comfortable it may seem, is still a place of confinement.

The political activists live in Block III E, together with criminals sentenced for corruption and murder. One of their blockmates is Oki Harnoko Dewantono, the notorious murderer of three people, including his own brother.

Prisoners are locked in their cells from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. All letters from prisoners to the outside are censored by guards and receive a stamp of approval.

They compared living in Cipinang to residing in any large community. Each person contributes; Kurniawan, for example, chaired the prison's soccer championship while Suroso organized the badminton competition.

Sport is the favorite pastime behind prison walls. Some of the prisoners are former professional athletes, but most are merely seeking exercise.

"We always look forward to events, like Independence Day, because they provide opportunities to be involved in activities," said Petrus.

He warned of the danger of inactivity in prison. He said depression can lead to prisoners finding themselves "paralyzed" when they leave.

What is the main difference between life on the inside and out?

"Here, we don't hold demonstrations. Anything else may be possible. But not that," said Petrus.(Yudha Kartohadiprodjo)