Ramadan Pesantren: Hundreds of Inmates at Cikarang Prison Learn Islamic Studies from Beginner to Advanced Level

BEKASI REGENCY — Inmates at Cikarang Class IIA Penitentiary in Bekasi Regency, West Java are being provided with religious education through a pesantren programme as part of the prison’s spiritual development initiative during the holy month of Ramadan.

“This programme is attended by 181 inmates, utilising the Ramadan period to enhance spiritual quality and deepen religious understanding,” said Urip Dharma Yoga, Head of Cikarang Class IIA Penitentiary, in Cikarang on Monday, 9 March 2026.

He stated that Ramadan represents an opportune moment for inmates to reflect and improve themselves whilst serving their sentences, with the expectation that this will strengthen their faith and build their commitment to becoming better individuals.

The Ramadan Pesantren at Cikarang Prison has been running since 23 February until 13 March. The programme has been organised in collaboration with the Indonesian Council of Ulama, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the National Zakat Board of Bekasi Regency.

Urip explained that rehabilitation within the penitentiary system is not merely about serving sentences, but also about fostering character transformation and changing inmates’ mindsets so they are prepared to return to society with improved attitudes.

“The purpose of rehabilitation is not simply to serve a sentence, but to help inmates return to society with changed attitudes and mindsets. Through this Ramadan Pesantren, we hope that religious values become truly embedded in the hearts of all participants,” he said.

The Ramadan Pesantren activities take place five days per week, from Monday to Friday. Various structured religious education materials are provided to all participating inmates.