The governor of an Indonesian prison has been suspended and four other officials sidelined after inspectors discovered a hidden, commercialized luxury compound complete with villas, a swimming pool, and a golf simulator behind the prison chief’s house at Cibinong Prison in Bogor, West Java.
Surprise Raid Reveals Hidden Villas and Luxury Amenities Behind Prison Chief’s House
Inspectors from the Ombudsman’s office uncovered the covert compound during a surprise visit last Wednesday, according to the Jakarta Globe. Initially blocked from entering the area behind the prison chief’s house, the inspection team argued their way past staff to investigate the obstruction.
“Of course, we started to wonder why we were being obstructed. When we arrived, it turned out there were many homes suspected to be occupied by inmates,” Ombudsman member Fikri Yasin told the Kompas newspaper. Inside the fenced-off zone, officials found several buildings resembling villas, homestay flats, and town houses, alongside a car park, a gym, a swimming pool, and a golf simulator under construction.
Several luxury vehicles, including a Toyota Alphard, were parked near the residences. Ombudsman member Syafrida Rachmawati Rasahan told a news conference on Thursday that the facilities featured varying purposes with standardisation similar to suite, deluxe, and superior rooms. As inspectors entered, inmates inside the residences rushed into the bedrooms, according to the Tempo news magazine. One inmate locked a door from the inside to block access, and near that door, inspectors found a framed photograph on a table showing Jimmy Masrin, an inmate serving a 10-year sentence for a corruption case linked to Indonesia Eximbank.
Another inmate confirmed to the inspection team that occupants paid to stay at the compound. According to The Straits Times, the Ombudsman received reports alleging that prisoners were charged 150,000 rupiah (US$8.33) a week.
Did You Know? The Cibinong Prison luxury compound scandal bears striking similarities to a 2018 case at West Java’s Sukamiskin Prison, where inmates paid between 200 million and 500 million rupiah for upgraded cells equipped with air conditioning, televisions, and refrigerators.
Parliamentary Pushback and Official Denials at House Hearing
During a House of Representatives commission hearing on Monday, Director General of Corrections Mashudi denied allegations that the maximum-security facility operated special living quarters for paying inmates. Mashudi asserted that the compound housed official staff residences and claimed one of the buildings functioned as a cattle-fattening facility.
Mashudi stated that items such as bottles of whisky and beer belonged to prison officers, while construction areas were intended for storage lockers rather than leisure facilities. He added that inmates observed in the area were participating in assimilation and education activities, and explained that the photograph of Jimmy Masrin had been confiscated during a security check and stored inside an employee residence.
Lawmakers rejected the explanation during the parliamentary session. “Don’t play games with the public. How could Jimmy Masrin’s framed photograph end up in an official residence?” asked lawmaker Yanuar Arif Wibowo of the Prosperous Justice Party. “Don’t lie to cover up an earlier lie.” Following the inspection, the Ombudsman urged the immediate dismantling of the unauthorized facilities before the next review, prompting the suspension of Cibinong Prison chief Wisnu Hani Putranto and four other prison officials.
Anti-Corruption Watchdogs Demand Broad Investigations Into Facility Commercialization
The non-governmental organization Indonesia Corruption Watch has called on enforcement agencies to expand their inquiries into the Cibinong Prison findings. Researcher Wana Alamsyah stated on Thursday that the Corruption Eradication Commission must investigate potential financial transactions, money flows, and abuse of authority by corrections officers.
“The experience of the Sukamiskin prison case shows that paying for special facilities and permission to leave prison is not merely a disciplinary violation, but can develop into bribery,” Wana said.
Inspections reveal luxury facilities inside a hidden compound at Cibinong Prison
What facilities were found inside the hidden compound at Cibinong Prison?
Inspectors found villa-style buildings, homestay flats, town houses, a car park, a gym, a swimming pool, and a golf simulator under construction, alongside several luxury cars including a Toyota Alphard.
Who is Jimmy Masrin, and how was he connected to the inspection?
Jimmy Masrin is serving a 10-year sentence in a corruption case linked to Indonesia Eximbank. Inspectors found a framed photograph of him on a table near a locked door inside one of the compound’s residences.
What disciplinary actions have been taken against prison officials?
Cibinong Prison chief Wisnu Hani Putranto and four other prison officials have been suspended following the Ombudsman’s surprise visit and subsequent findings.
How can correctional authorities effectively prevent the commercialization of prison facilities and ensure accountability across maximum-security institutions?