Due to the COVID-19, prison visitation in Indonesia is currently restricted. (Image via Merdeka.com)

Indonesian Police: No more prison visitation amid COVID-19

Indonesian Police temporarily halts prison visitation in order to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The policy ran into effect on Tuesday. Speaking to the press on Tuesday, the Director of Prisoners and Evidence Gathering, AKBP Barnabas S. Imam, confirmed the news.

The restriction of visitation will be effective for two weeks, from 24 March to 6 April. Previously, prison visitation was still available, yet the period was limited on Monday and Thursday. Moreover, the convicts were only given 30 minutes to receive a visit from their beloved ones.

The Directorate General of Correctional Affairs (Ditjen PAS) under the Law and Human Rights Ministry had provided some locations for COVID-19 isolation. For the convicts with status as a person under surveillance, patients under monitoring, and suspect for COVID-19 will be isolated in the locations.

The Acting Director-General of Ditjen PAS, Nugroho, ensured that the Technical Service Unit of the Correctional Institution and regional offices within COVID-19’s task force are ready for any worst-case scenarios. Moreover, Nugroho said that the visit limitation policy had been informed to the officers, visitors, and convicts and their families to avoid resistance.

Not only in Jakarta, but other correctional institutions are also implementing visit limitations.

Source: https://bit.ly/2xZNFGG