Prison island's security tightened

Prison island's security tightened

CILACAP, Central Java: The authorities plan to tighten the security of Nusa Kambangan, a prison island that will be developed into a tourist destination.

"The plan will pose a security problem because the tourist attractions and the detention centers are very close to each other," Cilacap military chief, Lt. Col. Tjutju M. Soemirat, told Antara yesterday.

Nusa Kambangan is well-known as a prison for hardened criminals, who are serving a jail term of at least five years. It will officially become a tourist destination once the justice ministry issues its formal approval.

He said only a certain number of beaches are earmarked for tourist sites. "We expect that Nusa Kambangan will be a major tourist attraction largely because of its image as a prison." (pan)