ABC News (AU)
· collected 2026-09-30 · by Patrick Martin and Natasya Salim
Indonesian authorities discovered luxury apartments during an inspection at Cibinong Prison near Jakarta last week, leading to the suspension of five prison officials suspected of corruption. The units included amenities like big-screen TVs, refrigerators, and even a golf simulator, suggesting inmates had been staying there in exchange for bribes. Investigators are probing whether prisoners paid staff for access to these facilities separate from regular prison cells.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-30,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
In short:
Several prison officers in Indonesia have been suspended amid a corruption probe linked to luxury apartments found in a jail.
asserted
officers → suspend → jail
Authorities found 10 luxury units during an inspection last week.
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Authorities → find → inspection
The investigation is examining whether inmates had been staying in the units and paying officers for the privilege.
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inmates → examine → privilege
Big-screen TVs, couches, fridges, gym equipment and a golf simulator under construction have been found in luxury units allegedly used by prisoners in an Indonesian jail.
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TVs → find → jail
Indonesian authorities are investigating whether inmates paid staff to access the compound and facilities at Cibinong Prison, near Jakarta.
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inmates → investigate → Jakarta
A surprise inspection by authorities last week uncovered the 10 residential-style units, which were separate from regular prison cells and being used by inmates.
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which → uncover → inmates
The units also contained air conditioning and luxury cars were parked nearby, ombudsman member Syafrida Rachmawati Rasahan said.
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Rasahan → contain → conditioning
Authorities also found an exit at the back of the compound that was unlocked, allowing access to units away from the main prison entry.
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that → find → entry
A video released by the ombudsman appears to show someone on the inside one of the units locking the door, preventing investigators from accessing the room.
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someone → release → room
"We found strong indications that certain inmates had access to special facilities unavailable to ordinary prisoners," Ms Rasahan said.
"
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Rasahan → find → prisoners
We encountered inmates inside the residential compound and discovered facilities resembling homestays, apartments and villas rather than prison housing."
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We → encounter → housing
Ministry of Immigration and Corrections Inspector-General Rudi Setiawan said dozens of inmates had been interviewed as part of the investigation.
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dozens → say → investigation
He said the buildings had been designed for housing for prison staff, but the probe was examining whether they had been occupied by prisoners in exchange for cash.
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they → say → cash
Five officials suspected of wrongdoing, including the prison's chief, were suspended as investigations continued.
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investigations → suspect → chief
Corruption in prisons a long-standing issue
I
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Corruption → stand → prisons
Gede Widhiana Suarda, a University of Jember law professor, said the issue of corruption within the prison system was "a major challenge for the Indonesian government" and that reform was needed.
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reform → say → government
"The reality is that Indonesia still does not have the right formula to effectively prevent people from committing corruption offences, whether in the form of bribery or fraud," he said.
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he → have → bribery
"I think that's the key issue.
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that → think → ?
The bigger challenge is how to prevent something like this from happening again in the future."
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challenge → prevent → future
Simon Butt, director of the Centre for Asian and Pacific Law at the University of Sydney, said the scandal was the latest in a string of similar issues plaguing the Indonesian prison system.
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scandal → say → system
Dr Butt, who has written a book on judicial issues in Indonesia, said inmates in other prisons had access to similar luxuries, including Artalyta Suryani, who had access to laser beauty therapy while behind bars in 2010.
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who → write → 2010
She was jailed for five years in 2008 after being found guilty of bribing a public prosecutor.
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She → jail → prosecutor
He said authorities discovered in 2017 that inmates at Sukamiskin prison in Bandung had paid for special treatment and for an extra fee, guards would give inmates keys so they could come and go as they pleased.
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they → say → keys
The problems persisted, at least in part, because punishments had historically been limited, Dr Butt said.
"Few of those involved have faced serious consequences.
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Few → persist → consequences
Each of these revelations drew headlines, but none appears to have produced lasting change," he said.
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he → draw → change
"Many of the prisoners named in these scandals have not been formally pursued for paying bribes to prison officials.
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Many → name → officials
"But the ability of convicts to obtain better conditions by paying bribes — in many cases the very act for which they were convicted — undermines the credibility of the criminal justice system."
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they → obtain → system
The ABC has contacted Indonesia's Ministry of Immigration and Corrections for comment.
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ABC → contact → comment
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