1,079 Buddhist Inmates Receive Vesak Remission Across Indonesia

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• English

Senin, 12 Mei 2025 - 21:40 WIB

Jakarta, VIVA – The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, through the Directorate General of Corrections has granted Special Vesak Remission to 1,079 Buddhist inmates, as well as Sentence Reduction (PMP) to two Buddhist juvenile detainees across the country.

“Religious remissions like this are a form of appreciation for inmates who have shown behavioral change during their sentence,” said Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, on Monday (May 12).

Out of a total of 1,524 Buddhist inmates and juvenile detainees, 1,079 were deemed eligible to receive the Vesak RK and Sentence Reduction.

They include 1,072 inmates who received special vesak remission (partial sentence reduction), 5 inmates who received special vesak remission II (immediate release), and 2 juvenile detainees who received PMP I (partial sentence reduction).

“The remission duration varies—ranging from 15 days, 1 month, 1 month and 15 days, to 2 months—depending on how much of the sentence has been served and the results of the rehabilitation evaluation,” he added.

In terms of regions, the highest numbers of recipients were recorded in: North Sumatra (186 people), West Kalimantan (184 people), and Jakarta (150 people).

Meanwhile, the two juvenile detainees who received PMP I were from Riau Islands and North Sumatra.

“This is expected to motivate them to keep improving themselves and be ready to reintegrate into society,” the minister said.

The remission is not only seen as fulfilling the rights of inmates but also brings a positive impact on the state budget.

The total cost savings on inmate meals due to the 2024 Vesak remission amounted to IDR 620,160,000.

Regulatory-wise, the granting of Remission and PMP is conducted in accordance with Law No. 22 of 2022 on Corrections, Government Regulation No. 32 of 1999 and its amendments, and Presidential Decree No. 174 of 1999 on Remission.

As of May 2, 2025, data from the Correctional Database System shows that the total population in Correctional Institutions, State Detention Centers, and Juvenile Rehabilitation Centers in Indonesia reached 275,760 individuals, consisting of detainees, inmates, children, and juvenile detainees.

“The granting of religious remission reflects the state's commitment to upholding the rights of inmates who are undergoing rehabilitation,” he concluded.