Jakarta – The Law and Human Rights Ministry has reduced the prison sentence of 112,523 Muslim inmates across the country as part of Idul Fitri celebrations. Of them, 517 were immediately released.
West Java had the highest number of prisoners receiving remissions, with 13,245 inmates, followed by East Java and North Sumatra with 12,614 and 12,595, respectively.
"The remission is a reward for prisoners who show good behavior," the ministry's correctional affairs director general, Sri Puguh Budi Utami, said on Tuesday.
The reduced sentences will reportedly save prisons Rp 54.9 billion (US$3.8 million) in meals alone.
According to a 2018 ministerial decree, convicts may receive reduced sentences, also known as "special remission", during the biggest religious holiday of their respective religions.
The remissions vary, ranging from 15 days to two months. Convicts will immediately be released if their remission brings an end to their sentence.