TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Directorate General of Corrections has granted special Vesak remissions to 1,077 inmates and reduced the sentences of two Buddhist juveniles across the country, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections announced Monday.
Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andriabto said the annual religious remissions are part of the government's commitment to safeguarding inmates' rights, especially those who have demonstrated good behavior and progress in rehabilitation programs.
"We hope this will motivate inmates to continue improving themselves and prepare to reintegrate into society," said Agus in an official statement on Monday, May 12.
According to data from the Directorate General, there are 1,524 Buddhist inmates and juvenile detainees nationwide. However, only 1,079 met the requirements to receive the Vesak RK and PMP.
Among them, 1,072 inmates received RK I, a partial remission; five others were granted RK II and released immediately. Two Buddhist juveniles were granted PMP I, as well as a partial sentence reduction.
Remission lengths varied from 15 days to two months, depending on how long the sentence had been served and the results of individual rehabilitation assessments.
North Sumatra recorded the highest number of recipients with 186 inmates, followed by West Kalimantan with 184, and Jakarta with 150. The two juveniles who received PMP I came from Riau Islands and North Sumatra.
Authorities said the remissions are not only part of fulfilling inmates' legal rights but also help reduce the state's financial burden. This year's Vesak remissions are expected to save the government approximately Rp620,160,000 in food costs.
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