Tangerang Prisoners Find Joy in Earning Monthly Income Through Paving Block Production

For example, Serbo (37), a prisoner serving a 12-year sentence, participates in the production. He claims he can save money even while incarcerated.

“There is indeed a bonus; we can earn up to Rp800,000 monthly, half in cash and half deposited into savings,” Serbo told journalists during his work at Jawara Beton workshop, Tangerang Prison, on Tuesday (26/5/2026).

Also known as Abu, Serbo said his savings from working at Tangerang Prison will be used as business capital upon release. He is expected to be freed next year.

“Perhaps after we are released from this prison, we will use it temporarily to start a business,” he said.

Abu, who works at the Jawara Beton workshop, previously worked as a construction labourer. He said he is comfortable with the activities inside the prison.

Jawara Beton is a programme initiated by Minister Imipas Agus Andrianto for rehabilitation and production at Tangerang Class I Prison. They manufacture construction materials such as paving blocks and wave breakers.

The programme empowers prisoners to produce construction products using coal waste.

“Previously, we were involved in agriculture, growing vegetables. But now, I’m more comfortable here, in the steelworking section,” Abu said.

“Actually, there’s more activity here; we have more time to engage in these tasks. In agriculture, the work was less busy,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tangerang Class I Prison Warden Beni Hidayat stated that Jawara Beton’s construction materials are cheaper than market prices, while maintaining superior quality.

“The price of our products, derived from waste, is 10 per cent lower than market rates,” he said.

Beni noted that building materials for house structures can save up to 15 per cent. The construction process is also significantly more efficient.

“For a type 36 house, there’s a 10 to 15 per cent efficiency gain compared to conventional construction. It’s more effective and cost-saving because it’s faster. While conventional structural work takes 15 to 20 days, this method completes it in 8 to 15 hours,” he explained.

“All foundations, pillars, frames, and columns are pre-made and ready. They can be customised according to the client’s design. We can adapt to any type, from type 36 up to type 78, and even multi-storey,” he added.