Reynhard Sinaga Will Be Thrown Into Nusakambangan Prison; Here Are Facts About Indonesia's Alcatraz
A request emerged from Reynhard Sinaga's parents to the Indonesian government for their son to be returned to their homeland.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - , a man who is known as the biggest sex offender in British history, is currently serving a life sentence in the country.
However, recently, a request emerged from Reynhard's parents to the Indonesian government for their son to be returned to their homeland. The request was submitted directly to Ahmad Usmarwi, a representative from the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections (Kemenko Kumham Imipas), on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
In his statement, Ahmad revealed that Reynhard's parents admitted to having difficulty communicating with their son. In fact, they claimed to have never received the latest information regarding Reynhard's condition during his detention in the UK. In response to the request, the Indonesian government began to open communication with the British government to discuss the possibility of Reynhard's return to Indonesia.
The Coordinating Minister for Law and Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, stated that discussions regarding this matter were still in the early stages. The repatriation mechanism will be decided later, considering options such as prisoner transfers or prisoner exchanges between the two countries.
Yusril emphasized that although this process is not easy, Indonesia has an obligation to provide proportional protection to its citizens, including those serving sentences abroad.
"Placing Reynhard in our correctional institution is also not easy. That person must be put in maximum security. And the only one available for that is Nusakambangan," Yusril told reporters at the Dharmawangsa Hotel, South Jakarta, on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Nusakambangan Prison is known as the prison with the highest level of security in Indonesia. This prison is located on a remote island south of Cilacap, Central Java. The history of Nusakambangan Prison began during the Dutch colonial era in the 19th century.
In 1908, the Dutch East Indies government established a prison on Nusakambangan Island as a place of exile for prisoners who were considered very dangerous. The isolated location and difficult access make Nusakambangan an ideal location for detaining heavy-duty prisoners. In addition, the use of this remote island is also intended to prevent prisoners from escaping.
Facts Behind Nusakambangan Prison
In addition, attention is also focused on the Penitentiary (Lapas) or Nusakambangan Prison, which is often a symbol of justice in Indonesia, especially in dealing with serious criminals. Nusakambangan, known as Alcatraz in Indonesia, is often the location for the execution of death row inmates, especially for those involved in crimes such as terrorism and narcotics. Executions are carried out in isolated areas with tight security, making it one of the most famous places for the implementation of the death penalty in Indonesia.
Access to Nusakambangan Prison is very limited. To reach the location, visitors must cross the Segara Anakan Strait using a special boat. In addition, visiting permits are only given to authorities or prisoners' families after going through strict procedures. This prison is also equipped with modern surveillance technology, such as surveillance cameras and tight security, to ensure that no prisoners escape.
Nusakambangan has a long history, including the existence of Gliger Prison, which now only has ruins left inside. This place was once used for the execution of a number of famous prisoners, such as Rio Martil, who was known for his action of killing four people with a hammer.
In addition, many buildings in are remnants of the Dutch colonial era with distinctive, sturdy and durable architecture. Although some parts have been renovated, original elements from the colonial era can still be found, strengthening Nusakambangan's image as a historic prison with a high level of security that is difficult to penetrate.
Naomy Ayu Nugrahaeni, Adil Al Hasan, and Nandito Putra contributed to the writing of this article.
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