Foreign Prisoners Support Service

The reality of Kerobokan jail (Last updated Feb 2014)

The representation by the book Hotel Kerobokan.... while much of that was true, but by the time the book was released many of the drug lords had been transferred out of the prison and the prison had addressed and cleaned up much of it. That was positive news so, unfairly I feel, it was not represented in the book. The very Cover of the book on the original publication was a doctored FPSS photo with a bloodied filter over it to make it look like the inmates were bleeding. Also the book gave people a very slanted version of the entire jail as being that way and that is simply not the case. The book was relying on the information supplied by paid addicted informants in the jail who one would expect were telling the author what she wanted to hear in order to receive payment and further feed their addictions. Do drugs and drug lords still exist in the jail today? Yes they do. They exist in every jail in every country in the world because almost half those incarcerated are drug takers or drug traffickers. They clean them out periodically and then new ones come in and it is an ongoing problem. With these types of inmates comes violence, coercion of other inmates to take drugs, money lending so that they can take drugs, corruption of poorly paid guards, all that one would expect. The recent new appointment of Jail Governor Pak Farid was really welcomed by the non drug taker inmates as he has a reputation for cleaning put drugs from his prior appointments and is very strict. Australians in the jail, that have thoroughly redeemed themselves over the years give counseling to addicts. There is a Methadone Rehabilitation program in the jail and many inmates avail themselves of it; some to hold them over until they finagle more funds out of their desperate families to again buy the real thing; some because they are genuinely trying to kick their habits.

Accommodation and over-population at Kerobokan Jail.

Built for 350 inmates the jail currently houses around 1000+ inmates. Communal sleeping is common in the outside community and it is therefore not unreasonable to expect that it would be any different in the jail. Boarding Schools in Western countries have communal sleeping too. In Indonesia it is a cultural thing born of necessity. New jails are currently under construction in Bali including a special Jail exclusively for those convicted of drug related offenses. Over the course of the next year we expect new cell blocks to replace the old ones at Kerobokan. The Riot in February 2 years ago saw the Administration Building burned down and a more modern replacement is approaching completion. The cells vary in size in different parts of the jail. Westerners are typically housed together in cells that can have from 6-15 fellow inmates. Many western inmates have installed sit-toilets as opposed to the squat-toilets that are the norm throughout Indonesia. Some cells are clean; some are filthy depending on the inmates who live in them. There is no airconditioning and while this does not affect the acclimatized local inmates it is hard on westerners who are more used to creature comforts. Blok W Cells typically house from 6-10 inmates. During the wet season in particular it is oppressively hot and humid. Some roofs leak. There is air-conditioning in the Administrators offices [temporarily using the aula [meeting room] until construction is completed on the Admin building] and also in the Bengker[Projects Area] computer room for the computers that are used for rehab training. Water is electrically pumped from wells at the jail as it is all over the island. Electricity is rationed so not always available 24/7. Inmates have clothes lines for washing. Often, as in the community at large, those that have some financial support hire others to do their chores for them thus the inmates with access to more funds can provide some small income by way of paid jobs for those less fortunate. In a way it is like a mini community in there. There is a “Tuck-Shop” in the common area where drinks and food can be purchased. The women’s area or the Wanita Blok or Block W is located between the Buddhist Temple and the Bengker Area. Toileting is maintained by the use of septic tanks as it is all over the island. During torrential rains there are areas that flood, including parts of the Bengker but not Block W. When this happens septic tanks spill over into the ground water and therefore pumped well water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is available for drinking. Because it is a tropical island mosquitoes are common and often we have outbreaks of Dengue Fever or Chicunungya, common all over tropical countries. There is a fully staffed, with doctors and nurses, medical/dental clinic although it is not as good as what one would expect to see in a Western Jail. If inmates cannot be treated there they are given a permission slip which is signed off by the Governor of the Jail and guards accompany inmates to get outside medical or dental assistance. From time to time a Dental Care bus is brought into the jail by charitable groups and all inmates can get their teeth taken care of.

Inmates are released from their cell blocks at 8 am by their Tamping or Lead Inmate. Inmates are locked up at 5 or 6pm. At noon there is “appel” or roll call and all inmates must go to their cell for the head-count. Female inmates need permission or a valid reason to be in the general area or the Bengker Area or Library where they participate in the various projects there in co-ed classes. Other than that there is little restriction on what any of the inmates do during the day. This unlike the regimentation in western jails provides a more normal environment for inmates. It is the freedom they offer. It helps inmates not to become so institutionalized and mingling with other inmates is what I see in the long term as a more healthy and natural environment. The drawback to this is that murderers, pedophiles etc have that same freedom of movement, but somehow it works and we rarely see problems. Violence there is almost always drug gang related and happens in the bowels of the men’s area of the jail and not in the common areas. Guards are for the most part a really friendly and compassionate lot and quite supportive. There are a few hard-arses in there but they are quite benign; more bossy than unkind. It is common for inmates to give guards a massage or do their nails and vice versa. Guards are often asked to get special things from the outside for inmates like, toiletries, Hungry Jack’s etc. Inmates would usually give them, 2000-5000Rp for this service depending on what it is. We see this as a thank you or tip - not corruption. 2000Rp = 20 cents.

Activities available in the Common areas, Blok W, Men’s Blok, Library and the Bengker

Inside Kerobokan... from one of the prisons' regular visitors and program coordinator....

1. Prayer and meditation – The Jail has a Buddhist and Hindu temples; a Christian church and a Mosque. Inmates can attend and also get instruction and counseling at the Christian Church whenever they please although female inmates must organize permission anytime they leave the W Blok. Facilitated by AC

2. TENNIS – The Jail has a tennis court and competition between Jails is common with guards and inmates forming teams. A former Indonesian Tennis Coach is now incarcerated there and gives tennis instructions to men and women [Thursdays for Women]. Organised by MN

3. VISITORS – Families may visit on weekdays in the visitor’s area where they sit on mats on a cement floor. It is very crowded, hot and not a particularly welcoming environment because of that but inmates really look forward to family visits. This area will be expanded once the renovations to the jail are completed.

4. W Blok - Knitting and Crochet Classes held twice weekly by VB from the Christian Church Group. Brit on Death Row. Cells in Blok W are painted in bright cheerful colors and most of the girls keep them very clean.

5. W Blok – Reflexology classes with a completion certificate are held regularly by JH from LB group and this is a very popular class. The inmates then can charge for massages and this is helpful for those who are given no outside family support.

6. W Blok - For 2 years we had Pattern making and Sewing classes and hope to start them up again this year

7. W Blok Hypnotherapy – Held by Norwegian MAF whenever she visits Bali. Very popular and relaxing

8. W Blok Yoga – We are meeting with an LP tomorrow in the hope of her giving a 4 week course in Yoga breathing and relaxation exercise in March

9. W Blok – Fan making in Blok W aula. A commercial enterprise by a local group that is very popular.

10. Blok W/ Bengker – We managed to get a chef for cooking classes in there some years ago and the girls had a thriving business going that was feeding many inmates male and female but after the riot it was shut down. When construction is completed we hope to start up again [I have a volunteer chef already committed] but most likely it will be in the Bengker Area. If anyone can donate some equipment that would be great. Especially an oven as we thought it might be fun for them to learn how to bake cupcakes. The prison officials often asked the girls to cook when they have festivities and visiting dignitaries like on The Jail Anniversary or Indonesian Independence Day

11. Blok W – Aerobics – Our group bought them a sound system and DVD to go with the existing TV and RL used to organize morning aerobics.

13. Blok W – Nighttime frolicking – AKA shabushabu [ Crystal meth] pipe parties in an un-named cell block but nothing to do with any other cells or inmates nor with Female Australian inmates.

14. Blok W – Various late lock-up celebration nights where we [Group LB] join the ladies with cakes etc for special holidays like Hindu Galungan, Muslim Idyll Fitri, Christian Xmas etc.

15. Library – CO ED – English Classes organized by MN to help Indonesians on release to get employment in the travel industry

16. Library – CO ED - Beginners Art and Drawing – Conducted by LL. Students then graduate to the Fine Art Class in the Bengker, facilitated by MS

17. BENGKER – CO-ED Fine Art program facilitated by MS. Regular and visiting artists conduct workshops in Oil Painting including 2011 Archibald Prize winner Ben Quilty. Painting are sold to raise funds for re-stocking art supplies and other Bengker Projects Kerobokan Jail wins lots of inter-jail art competitions because the standard is so high.

18. BENGKER – Silver smithing, jewelry sold in UBUD - Facilitated by MS and SYC who now trains others in his craft

19. BENGKER - T Shirt Printing – Facilitated by MS - latest theme “Stand Tall”

20. BENGKER – Computer skills – Facilitated by MS – WORD, EXCEL AND COREL DRAW

21. BENGKER - Jail Band – facilitated by MS and AC with Christian Church Group

23. BENGKER – Tote bag and accessories making from Candy wrappers and drink cartons facilitated by Christian Church Group

24. BENGKER – Animal husbandry and plant propagation – supervised by Pak G and Pak H

27. BENGKER - Organic Garden – Facilitated by MS with R.O.L.E Bali and Canggu Rotary to commence digging in 2 weeks

28. BENGKER – KK9 Inmate Assistance Dog Training Project – Facilitated by MS and LL. Kennels and new roofing in Bengker already underway. Meeting with BAWA Bali Animal Welfare Association for joint project next week

June 17, 2012

Life inside ... inmates and guards paint a canvas on Art Expression Day.

It is just as well known as Bali's surf beaches and ancient temples, but Kerobokan jail is a part of the holiday island that few visitors ever get to see.

These photos offer a rare glimpse of daily life inside the jail, home to Australians including Schapelle Corby and members of the so-called Bali Nine.

They were taken by Lizzie Love, an Australian expatriate who has worked as a volunteer inside the prison for the past two years with a small band of women known as the Lipstick Brigade. She has released the pictures exclusively to The Sun-Herald to show that conditions inside the jail are quite different from its reputation.

Lizzie Love and Renae Lawrence deliver a stereo.

''Why is it always described as a hellhole?'' she asks. ''I'm not saying it's paradise in there. It isn't. It's hot, it's overcrowded and there is violence.

''But the efforts that the prison authorities go to, towards rehabilitating people and providing opportunities for reform, should be acknowledged because they are making a difference to the prisoners' lives.''

She says the negative portrayal of the jail could affect claims for clemency from Australian inmates.

The Lipstick Brigade's Mari dances with Andrew Chan at a wedding in the jail.

The 1000 inmates at Kerobokan have much more freedom than inmates elsewhere around the world. While they are locked in their cells from 5pm to 8am, most prisoners are free to do as they please during the day.

Prison authorities and volunteer groups such as Love's Lipstick Brigade provide a variety of activities for male and female prisoners, with the aim of providing them with skills to find legitimate work when they leave.

Lizzie McLean, a former Sydney high school teacher who volunteers with Love, agrees the jail has its flaws - overcrowding being one of the worst - but prisoners are treated well.

''If I had to go to jail, I would rather be here than in Australia,'' she says.

''The physical conditions are not great but, that said, it's a lot freer than a Western jail. There is a lot of interaction between the prisoners and there are a lot of programs they can do, which will improve their chances once they leave jail.''

Prisoners can choose creative activities - such as sewing and pattern-making, art and dancing - or improve their employment prospects with a course in reflexology.

Many inmates grow vegetables in the prison grounds and cooking classes led to the establishment of a canteen in the women's block, which is run as a business, feeding both prisoners and visitors to the jail.

Male prisoners, who outnumber female inmates nine to one, have even greater freedoms, with access to a gym, tennis court and soccer field. They have helped to build dog kennels for an assistance dog training program that Love has been trying to establish in the jail.

Medical facilities are basic but accessible, with a dental clinic and a doctor on site, and a methadone program available for those who are trying to kick heroin habits.

Prisoners have access to a library, religious services from a number of faiths and philosophy classes.

Far from being cut off from the outside world, they have computers, wi-fi, television and DVD players.

Some inmates - including Bali Nine members Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan - are taking university courses.

Sukumaran, 31, and Chan, 28, both face the death penalty for their part in the 2005 trafficking operation to smuggle a total of 8.4 kilograms of heroin into Australia. Lawyers for Chan have lodged an appeal for clemency with the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, while the deadline for Sukumaran's appeal is next month.

Love speaks highly of both men, noting how they have transformed their lives over the past few years.

Sukumaran is undertaking a fine arts degree, while Chan is taking religious studies.

Both men are involved in many of the courses run inside the jail, including drug counselling.

''Those are responsible for improving conditions at Kerobokan,'' Love says.

''When an opportunity to rehabilitate is given, as it is in Kerobokan, then people actually can and do change their lives.

''Andrew and Myuran are just remarkable. They're on death row and every day they get up drug-free and go to work.

''Andrew goes off to give his anti-drug talks to other prisoners. Myuran is in there shovelling dirt to build dog kennels for the assistance dog program we were trying to establish. He organises for teachers to come in, for computers to be fixed, every day. That's what they do.''

The way Kerobokan is depicted in Australia is not only false but may damage Chan and Sukumaran's chances of clemency, says Love, who has lived in Bali for nine years.

''The Indonesians don't like to be seen as a beggar nation,'' she says.

''This is a notorious jail, but there has been an effort to look after prisoners in a humane way … That shows that it is a progressive jail. They like to be seen that way. They want to be seen as humane.''

Clarification: Lizzie Love did not receive payment for supplying Fairfax Media with her photographs from inside Kerobokan.

Rachel Browne - Original Article