Ex-Prisoner Takes to Twitter to Expose Extortion, Drugs in Indonesian Prison

Surya also exposed the trade in methamphetamine, locally known as syabu, which was carried out openly by the inmates inside the prison.

“From the second floor, the inmates promote their products to the new prisoners while shouting: 'Syabu, syabu, syabu who wants syabu for Saturday night?'” 

After one month of staying in the orientation hall, Surya and his colleagues were moved to Room 18 in J Block following pressure from other activists.

However, many prisoners must live in alleys due to a lack of money and support. He said social class differentiates treatment in prison.

"Many prisoners and inmates sleep in the hallway because they don't have money to pay the 'ticket' to enter the room and pay weekly room fees," Surya said.

The cell he was in was apparently a "pharmacy" room or the room where transactions for methamphetamine took place, he said. The room, he added, was also one of the nicest rooms in the past.

"The warden knew about this. I wonder why we were placed in such a room." 

Life in prison does not mean the basic needs will be borne by the state, Surya said, noting that rice, viand, and water were rationed in small amounts. They had to buy and cook food for themselves.

"We also buy water for ourselves. We buy the gallon plastic bottle. If there is trouble with electricity, we have to pay the expenses. Other prisoners are required to pay the room fee and pay a weekly fee. We don’t pay because the prison is concerned about the public pressure," Surya said.

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To survive in prison, the inmates take on odd jobs from pickpocketing to repairing electronic devices. The prison has its own micro-economy of sorts - providing cellphone services, money transfers, selling food, selling perfume, and illegal drug trade.

To provide the best rehab

“We are currently tracing the information given,” Corrections Directorate General Spokesperson Rika Aprianti told Kompas.com on Monday, July 13.

Rika said the Directorate General of Correctional Facility is committed to providing the best rehabilitation services for prisoners and detainees.

The Corrections Directorate General, she added, has also taken necessary actions against extortion and drug trafficking in the prison.