Wardens' welfare to be improved: Oetojo

Wardens' welfare to be improved: Oetojo

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman yesterday
promised to improve the welfare of prison guards more
commensurate with the heavy responsibility they shoulder.

Oetojo disclosed that the question of warden's welfare is
included in a legislation currently being drafted by the
government to improve the way the country manages its jails.

The new law on correctional institutions will address the
welfare of the prison guards, Oetojo said told reporters after
inducting 16 new officials at the ministry.

The bill also regulates the working hours and other conditions
of work, including the risk involved. The government is
considering providing the guards with additional benefits in view
of the nature of their work, he said.

The bill is now in its last stages before it could be
presented to the House of Representatives.

Alumni of a government academy which trains and educates
wardens early this year complained that their welfare have been
virtually neglected and pleaded for better facilities.

The minister said the government is also encouraging prison
guards to establish cooperatives as another way of helping
themselves to improve their welfare.

Asked whether the government would consider privatization of
correctional institutions as an alternative, the minister said
that the proposal needs further studies.

"We've got to know first which part of a jail could be handed
over to the private sector," Oetojo said.

The idea of partial privatization of correctional institutions
has been gathering momentum in recent years. Some prison wardens
have suggested that private investors be invited to develop some
light industries behind prison bars and employ the inmates. (emb)