inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. A total of 560 inmates aged 70 and over from various correctional institutions across Indonesia received remissions to coincide with the commemoration of National Elderly Day 2026 this Friday.
Director General of Corrections Mashudi stated that granting remissions to elderly inmates is a form of the state's humanitarian concern, as regulated in Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code and Law Number 22 of 2022 concerning Corrections.
"Granting remissions based on advanced age is a humanitarian act that has previously been practiced and has now been strengthened by regulations," said Mashudi on Friday (5/29/2026).
He explained that the remission recipients are inmates aged 70 and over, have chronic or long-term illnesses, are well-behaved, actively participate in rehabilitation programs, and have a low-risk status.
The amount of remissions granted varies from one to six months. In detail, 85 people received one-month remissions, 108 people two months, 170 people three months, 96 people four months, 79 people five months, and 22 people six months.
Mashudi stated that this policy aims to motivate elderly inmates and demonstrate the state's concern for the elderly in correctional institutions.
"The new Criminal Code also prioritizes more humane sentencing, not just retribution, but a focus on rehabilitation and development," he explained.
Of the total recipients, the largest number came from the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections (73 people), East Java (63 people), and North Sumatra (39 people).
Mashudi stated that the remissions also helped reduce overcrowding in correctional institutions and resulted in savings of IDR 1.18 billion in inmate food costs.
"By providing sentence reductions for elderly inmates, we hope this will benefit elderly inmates and their families as they serve the remainder of their sentences," he said.
This remission for elderly prisoners is given every year to commemorate National Elderly Day, which falls on May 29th.
(ad/ndt/pr/rs)
