REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Prison sentences of more than 50,000 inmates lodged throughout Indonesia were reduced on the country`s Independence Day, Justice and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin said on Friday. While the high profile Australian convict, Schapelle Leigh Corby, got six months remission. 

"Over 50,000 people`s jail terms have been cutback. However, a slightly lesser number of prisoners will have their sentences reduced on the Idul Fitri holiday," he said.

As per government regulation no. 28/2006, their sentences would be cut by six months if they had not done anything to violate their jail term, Syamsuddin noted. He noted that remission is every inmate's right and should certainly not be used for discrimination.

Remissions in sentences have been granted to 58,595 prisoners. As a result, around 2,246 inmates will be freed immediately, while 56,349 will still have to wait and complete the remainder of their sentences.

A total of 153,246 persons, which include 50,275 prisoners and 102,971 inmates were locked up in jails and prisons throughout Indonesia till August 2012.

Six months remission for Corby

The prison term for Australian national Schapelle Leigh Corby, who was convicted in a drugs-related case, was reduced by six months on the 67th Indonesian Independence day.

"Corby has received a six month remission in her sentence along with fellow convict and Australian national Rene Lawrence," Syamsudin said.

The minister also pointed out that the reduction in sentence granted to Corby was no different from cutbacks in the terms of other inmates, which were also based on a recommendation owing to the absence of any violation of prison term at the Correction Centers. 

"Corby`s name will be removed from the remission recipient list if we receive a note from the correction center complaining about her," Syamsuddin added.

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