Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Directorate General of Correctional Affairs has designated 968 locations across Indonesia for the implementation of social work sentences, marking a significant shift in the national criminal justice system. 

Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Agus Andrianto, announced onthat the initiative is supported by 1,808 partners through 719 cooperation agreements. 

Speaking at a National Seminar on Wednesday (6/5/2026), he emphasized that social work sentences allow offenders to serve their time outside of prison by performing unpaid community service, according to antaranewes.com.

Under Article 85 of the new Criminal Code, social work sentences can be imposed on defendants facing a maximum prison threat of less than five years. 

The minister described the shift as a "paradigm revolution." He noted that the correction system is moving away from being "prison-centric" and toward a model focused on recovery and social reintegration. By addressing low-risk offenses with community-based intervention rather than incarceration, the government aims to reduce prison overcrowding and promote rehabilitative outcomes.

"Not every problem must be answered with walls and bars; we must be brave enough to distinguish between risk levels and intervention needs," he added, reinforcing the correctional system's role as a pillar of social reintegration rather than just a final destination for punishment.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)