The construction of 'RI Alcatraz' in doubt

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The provincial office of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights is planning to build a maximum security prison on Tello island, located off South Nias regency, but provincial authorities may build a resort.

The prison, which has been dubbed the "Alcatraz of Indonesia", would be for convicts sentenced to more than 10 years in prison, according to head of the office Terenan Ginting.

But, other bureaucrats have vastly different ideas for the island. The North Sumatra provincial administration spokesman, Eddy Sofyan, said that the island would be developed as a resort island. -- JP