Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas says approximately 39,000 drug-related inmates are being considered for amnesty. This number is the largest compared to other categories eligible for amnesty, including violators of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) regarding insults against the head of state and political cases in Papua.
"Most of the cases are related to prisoners in drug abuse cases," said Supratman at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, December 16, 2024.
Supratman, however, said these are not the exact number of prisoners who will be granted amnesty, as the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections will first conduct an assessment on the inmates.
The prisoners will be assessed in accordance with several criteria, including the nature of the crime and good behavior while serving their sentences in prison.
Deputy Director of the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) Maidina Rahmawati previously requested the government be transparent during the process of granting amnesty to 44,000 inmates. Despite viewing the step in a positive direction, Meidina believes it should be a policy-based process open to public evaluation and criticism.
ICJR, Meidina said, agreed with the government's decision to grant amnesty to inmates. "Especially those aimed at ending the criminalization of narcotic users for personal purposes," she said in a written statement received by Tempo on Sunday, December 15.
Nevertheless, ICJR believes the process must be transparent and accountable. Additionally, Maidina also stated that the assessment of prisoners eligible for amnesty should be based on results of rehabilitation and consider psychosocial and health aspects of the prisoners.
Previously, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas announced the government will grant amnesty to 44 thousand prisoners. The pardon aims to address the issue of overcapacity in various correctional institutions across Indonesia.
Supratman stated there are four categories of prisoners who will receive amnesty. First, prisoners for ITE Law violations regarding insults to the head of state; second, inmates with prolonged illnesses or HIV-AIDS requiring special care and mental health disorders; third, prisoners in non-violent treason cases in Papua; and fourth, narcotic users who should have undergone rehabilitation.
Supratman also announced that the government will employ prisoners who receive amnesty in the food self-sufficiency program. ICJR, however, disagrees with this plan, citing the vulnerability to exploitation.
– Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article.