PRD activists make the best of time inside

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)