By: Emerson Yuntho
A number of luxury facilities enjoyed by Artalyta Suryani, convicted of corruption cases, while in Detention (Rutan) Pondok Bambu raises many questions. Was he arrested?
As reported, the Task Force (Task Force) Law on the Eradication of the Mafia last week (10 / 1) to make unannounced visits to Rutan Pondok Bambu, Jakarta. They found a number of inmates (prisoners) who get special treatment, such as Ayin, convicted in a bribery case prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan, and sentenced to life in drug case, Aling. Ayin has air-conditioned rooms, refrigerator, bed spring bed, and beauty treatments. While Aling has room for karaoke and use BlackBerry.
Provision of special facilities for prisoners is not really a new story. Previously, a number of news media and the testimony of many former prisoners say there were indications of corruption bribes to obtain a special facility in the crease or correctional institutions (prisons). Conducted inspections, task force and live coverage of print and electronic media as the public aware that this embarrassing information is not a mere figment.
Corrupt practices in the crease or the prison service can also be viewed from the ICW research on patterns of corruption in the judiciary in 2001. In terms of actors, those involved in this corruption is convicted or inmates (prisoners), prison officers, prison chief, officials in the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, as well as intermediaries and advocates.
Factor limitations, discomfort, insecurity, and weak supervision and low welfare of prison staff assessed a driving factor of this bribe bribery transactions. As a result of corrupt practices, the prison term as a hotel without cost (free) is not appropriate in current conditions. Therefore, there is nothing free during imprisonment.
The results of research and monitoring of ICW in 6 (six) major cities in Indonesia are also found at least 5 (five) pattern of corruption that occurred in prison or crease.
First, the provision of treatment and special facilities for the prisoners. By paying some money to the person the officer, the prisoner will get different treatment by other prisoners. Special facilities can also be provided, for example, separate cell with another prisoner, eating nutritious food and beverage, furniture, television, refrigerator, air conditioning, phone, and so on. If agreed, even, the cells can also be transformed into temporary offices of the prisoners that in fact is a businessman.
Second, the provision of security services. In general, crease or prison conditions in Indonesia is not safe as expected. No sebandingnya number of wardens to make the prisoner abuse occurred in the prison boom. This condition used a number of elements in the environment of prisons and prisoner officers kept asking for security fees. If money is not given the security, have certainly experienced the threat of violence to the prisoner.
Third, granting permission out of jail. Actually there is nothing wrong prisoner out of prison. For example, for treatment or time off to visit family. However, the procedures that must be fulfilled that is the permission granted by the head of prisons and Kakanwil Department of Law and Human Rights. Out the prisoner's rights is clearly regulated in Law No. 12 of 1995 on Penitentiary (Penitentiary Act). Article 14 letter d get the right set of health services and Article 14 letter j set off to visit family rights. For example married children, married or mourn a close family.
Unfortunately, these rights are often disimpangi. Maybe we still remember the case of Rizal Ramadan was captured, convicted of corruption in a drug party at a hotel in Cikini, Central Jakarta, on August 27, 2006. Yet, should the former clerk of PT Jawa was serving his sentence in prison Cipinang. Mode with reasonable pain he underwent treatment at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital.
Fourth, granting remission. One quick way that allows inmates to get free air is through the provision of remission (reduction of sentence). Remission is one of the prisoners' rights as stipulated in the Act of Corrections. If an inmate good behavior while in detention, prison chief may recommend to the Minister of Justice and Human Rights to give remission to the prisoners concerned.
Unfortunately, not many prisoners who know about these rights. Gift is also very dependent on the subjective assessment of a prison or crease. This is very vulnerable to be misused and commodities between staff and inmates person rich. Good behavior is translated as "action officers to treat prisoners well". For example, give some money or goods. As a result, the number of frequent discrepancy between one prisoner remissions and other prisoners.
Fifth, charges for guests or visitors. It was common knowledge when there are family or guests like visiting the prisoners, there were charges "unofficial" that seems to have been standardized. For one visit, the visitors who will visit relatives in custody charged between Rp 10 thousand to USD 50 thousand. To convict himself, prison officials often cite money as well, especially for those who are known to receive some money from relatives. Not only money, food was often asked by the guards. By paying a sum of money larger bribes, even guests can visit the prisoners without being bound to an hour visit.
Events that occurred in Rutan Pondok Bambu at least a valuable lesson for the Department of Justice and Human Rights to clean up corrupt practices and encourage reforms in the correctional environment. In systemic aspects, regulatory improvements, strengthening the supervision and guidance, and adequate funding should be a priority to be resolved. Minister of Justice and Human Rights Patrialis Akbar also must take tough action to dismiss a number of officials deemed responsible and negligent in conducting surveillance. This step is important that similar cases do not reoccur in the future.
*). Emerson Yuntho, deputy coordinator of the Indonesian Corruption Watch
