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)