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

"There is only one TV set in the room [for the new inmates]. If anyone dares to touch the dial, people will immediately make noise. These plastic bottles are meant to hold water for drinking. But when we drink the water, it feels sticky on our throat. It causes sore throat," Surya tweeted.

He added that fights between inmates in the holding room were common, and they were often triggered by the inane and unnecessary.

“Due to overcrowding, prisoners fought over sweet potatoes, someone wearing another person's sandals, spilled coffee, and stolen side dish,” he wrote.

Also read: Refugees in Indonesia Say UNHCR Jakarta Office Reneging on Food Aid Promise

The pharmacy

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.