Man on TV: “Sorry but this is a serious problem”

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has requested access to the closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in all Indonesian prisons to monitor malpractice following the recent discovery that graft convicts in Sukamiskin prison in Bandung, West Java, were living in upgraded luxury prison cells.

A video of some of the cells found during the KPK’s raid on Saturday – described by local media as looking like “5-star hotel rooms” – showed amenities including expensive furniture sets, refrigerators, air-conditioning, flat screen TVs, private bathrooms and showers. Many prisoners also had mobile phones and computing devices.

Some prisoners were also found to be absent during the raid and prison officials – who initially claimed they were out for medical reasons – later admitted that they did not have keys to the cells and the KPK believes that some prisoners had purchased the privilege of carrying the only key to their cells.