1,357 Batam Prisoners Receive Sentence Remissions on Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day

BATAM | INDATANEWS.COM - A total of 1,357 prisoners in Batam City received their 2026 General Sentence Remission certificates in conjunction with the 81st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. Of the total, 918 prisoners are from Batam Class IIA Correctional Facility.

The remission certificates were handed over on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the Sahardjo Hall of the Batam Correctional Facility. The event was attended by Batam Mayor H. Amsakar Achmad, a representative of the Chairman of the Batam City Council, representatives of the Batam City Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, as well as correctional authorities and staff.

The granting of sentence remissions was not merely part of the Independence Day celebrations, but also represented the state's recognition of prisoners who had demonstrated positive behavioral changes during their incarceration. The state grants sentence remissions to prisoners who comply with applicable regulations, actively participate in rehabilitation and development programs, and fulfill the required administrative and substantive conditions.

Remission as Recognition of the Rehabilitation Process

At the event, Batam Mayor H. Amsakar Achmad read a speech delivered by Indonesia's Minister of Immigration and Corrections. The speech emphasized that the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence, under the theme "A Sovereign, Just and Prosperous Indonesia," should serve as a reminder of the need to continue building a professional, humane, accountable and integrity-driven correctional system.

The government regards sentence remission as one of the instruments in the rehabilitation process for prisoners. A reduction in the length of imprisonment is granted in recognition of behavioral improvement and compliance with regulations while prisoners participate in development programs at correctional facilities.

In addition to serving as a form of recognition, sentence remission also plays an important role in social reintegration. By granting remissions, the state encourages prisoners to prepare themselves to return to society with positive changes after completing their sentences.

Batam Correctional Facility Head Yosafat Rizanto reported the number of prisoners in Riau Islands Province who were proposed to receive sentence remissions. A total of 3,188 prisoners across Riau Islands were proposed for the 2026 General Sentence Remission.

In Batam City alone, 1,357 prisoners out of a total of 2,571 prisoners housed in several correctional facilities across the city have received their General Sentence Remission certificates.

Of this figure, 918 recipients of the 2026 General Sentence Remission are prisoners at Batam Class IIA Correctional Facility.

10 Prisoners Released

This year's sentence remission program also brought good news to several prisoners at Batam Class IIA Correctional Facility. A total of 10 people were released from custody on August 17, 2026, through various mechanisms.

Six people were released immediately under General Sentence Remission II, RU II. Two others were released after completing their full prison sentences and becoming eligible for regular release. Two additional prisoners were released under the conditional release program.

The releases are part of the social reintegration process for prisoners who have fulfilled all the required conditions. Through the releases, the state provides them with an opportunity to return to their families and communities after completing the required rehabilitation process.

The granting of sentence remissions is also intended to motivate other prisoners to continue demonstrating good behavior and participating in all rehabilitation programs. The government hopes that the benefit will not be viewed merely as a reduction in prison time, but also as a demonstration of trust that must be maintained through positive behavior.

Prisoners Encouraged to Begin a New Chapter

Batam Correctional Facility hopes that the General Sentence Remission granted in conjunction with the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence will encourage prisoners to continue demonstrating good behavior, maintaining discipline and developing their skills so they are better prepared to return to society.

The reduction in prison terms provided through sentence remission also gives prisoners an opportunity to begin a new chapter in their lives. Upon returning to their families and communities, they are expected to lead productive lives and make positive contributions.

The government also considers the rehabilitation process and social reintegration to be important components of the correctional system. Therefore, prisoners who receive sentence remissions are expected to ensure that their behavioral changes are not limited to their time inside correctional facilities, but continue after they return to their social environments.

In commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence, Batam Class IIA Correctional Facility calls on all prisoners to use the sentence remission as an opportunity to continue improving themselves and preparing for their future. This spirit is in line with this year's theme, "A Sovereign, Just and Prosperous Indonesia," which provides the framework for the Independence Day celebrations. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala