Starvation looms in Merauke prison

Starvation looms in Merauke prison

MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: Sixty-two inmates in a prison here are
facing starvation due to the government's limited budget for
their food, Antara reported yesterday.

Chief Warden Achmad Dofir Ali said the budget was enough to
feed only 100 inmates, while the prison's population was
currently 162 inmates.

He predicted more inmates' rations would be cut further if the
current economic situation worsened.

Achmad said the inmates included those serving sentences for
sex crimes (47 cases), murders (33 cases), battery (nine cases),
and theft (20 cases).

On Aug. 17, to mark Independence Day, 66 inmates received
either remission or were released, it was reported. It is not
clear if the 66 released were among the 162. (aan)