‘I Bought the Cell I Live in for Rp 2 Million. In Here You Have to Pay for Everything.’

My Jakarta: Bambang, Prison Inmate

‘Bambang’ thought he had friends, that was until one of them set him up. It seems one of Bambang’s buddies got busted for selling ecstasy, but the cops weren’t happy with catching just one guy so they told him that if he helped them set up a few people, he would get off with a lighter sentence.
Bambang was arrested with 50 pills, then another one of his friend’s friends was busted with more. Bambang is now serving five to six years in Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta. We went to get a glimpse of what life behind bars is like.

Did you get in a fight on your first day?

I haven’t been in any fights here. I’ve seen fights, but I’ve never been in one. If you get in a fight they throw you in isolation.

How is the prison divided?

The prison is divided into three separate parts. This area is only for people arrested for drugs, like me. Next to this there’s what we call Rutan, or Rumah Tahanan , which is for temporary stays before they settle you in for real. Then there is an area for people arrested for other crimes.

It’s hard to talk to you through this dividing glass. Is there any way we can talk face-to-face?

No, but if you want to come back and visit me, the 28th and 29th are special days for visits, where friends and family can come and we can sit out in the exercise yard and talk.

What is your cell like?

I share a cell with one other guy. I bought the cell I live in for Rp 2 million [$212]. So I’m pretty grateful for it.

Why?

Because in here you have to pay for everything, including the cell you live in. There are three, actually four, different kinds of living situations. There’s block A, B and C. Block A is for the privileged guys, on a type of work release. They work here at the prison doing odd jobs and administrative work. Then there’s Block B, that’s where my cell is. Block C is the worst, the cells only cost Rp 500,000, but you live with 20 other guys in a room. I used to live there when I first got here. Then there’s Pansus, or Penjara Khusus , special cells, which is where all the big-time drug dealers and rich inmates live. I’ve never been there, but I know the food is good. Those guys have TV, AC, everything. But it’s also the same area that they send the inmates that need to be in solitary confinement.

Do you pay that every month?

No, it’s a one-time fee.

So what happens to the inmates who don’t have money to buy a cell?

If you don’t have any money you have to borrow the cash from one of the loan sharks inside the prison and pay it back when you get out.

What do you eat here?

Rice, veggies, lots of green beans, meat sometimes. We have a warteg [food stall] here, but you have to have money to pay for the good food.

When we were coming through the metal detectors, we saw some turntables. Can you guys party here?

That’s for inmates who can afford it. You can buy and rent that kind of stuff or anything you want. The rich inmates get visits from girlfriends and wives, but mostly hookers, cause they can pay the guards to let them in.

Do you have a girlfriend?

I did. And she used to come visit me, but we broke up.

Can you get drugs inside prison?

Yeah, I don’t know how they get in here, but they’re here. And they’re cheaper than on the outside. Let’s say that one pill [ecstasy] costs between Rp 150,000 and Rp 170,000 in a club. Here, it’s like Rp 50,000.

How do people pay for it?

I don’t know, I don’t have any money. I guess the money comes from their families, or from selling something to other inmates. By the way, could you leave me some money, because when you leave I have to pay the guards Rp 80,000 to get back to my cell. They know that I’ve had visitors so they think you guys gave me money. If I don’t hand over Rp 80,000, they’ll beat me up.

How much longer do you think you’ll be in here?

My family is working on getting me money to get me out sooner. They have to go through a calo , a broker here. He sets everything up.

No lawyers?

Nobody in here really cares how it happens, whether I go through a legal process or not is of no importance. What is important is that somebody gets paid — then I get out. The broker said that if I got Rp 5 or 6 million together, I could get out next year.

What’s your most prized possession in jail?

I don’t know, maybe my clothes. I don’t have anything.

Can you make a call to your family and friends from here?

There is a wartel [telephone kiosk] in here and you can also buy a cellphone. But I usually just pay to use the cellphone of one of the guards. It’s not allowed, so we keep it a secret.

What is the first thing you are going to do on your release?

I have no idea. All I know is that I’m going to be a good person.



Bambang was talking to Gizelle Shore.

Your View

See Result