Sutiyoso offers funds to restore prison

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso visited on Friday the Cipinang Penitentiary and promised to provide funds needed to rebuild buildings and other facilities damaged in Wednesday's riot.

Sutiyoso told reporters it was his concern that inspired him to offer the aid. He said he would discuss with his staff how to raise the funds as soon as possible.

"We will discuss it, whether or not to take the money from the leftovers of the city budget for the 2000 fiscal year. We may prioritize the funds to reconstruct health facilities," Sutiyoso said after the visit.

Administration of penitentiaries across the country falls under the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

The unrest broke out in the early hours of Wednesday when 50 inmates were heading for buses which were to transport them to Tangerang and Cirebon prisons.

Police shot four prisoners, killing one of them, in a move to quell the revolt.

A car, four motorcycles, the penitentiary's administration building and auditorium, computers, security posts and prisoners' files were burned during the unrest, costing the government over Rp 250 million.

Head of Jakarta's Ministry of Justice and Human Rights Imam Santoso told Sutiyoso on Friday 17 iron cell doors were broken during the incident. Nobody fled the prison, but inmates who used to occupy the cells have been at large within the penitentiary.

Sutiyoso suggested a relocation of the penitentiary, saying that it stands in the middle of crowded residential areas.

Situated on Jl. Bekasi Timur in East Jakarta, the prison is home to over 2,000 inmates, whereas it was designed to accommodate only 1,500.

The removal of prisoners that sparked the riot on Wednesday was part of an effort to ease the overcrowded penitentiary.

Imam said negotiations are continuing with the inmates as to the weapons they were holding.

"They should surrender the weapons within a week, or else the police will carry out a sweep," Imam said.

He added he expected the broken cell doors could be fixed in three days.

The prisoners revealed in talks with the warden their disappointment with the unjust treatment they suffered, Imam said. They also demanded that graft convict Hutomo "Tommy" Soeharto be captured and sent to the penitentiary. (jun)