Ombudsman Exposes Luxury Rooms at Cibinong Prison: Inmate Admits Paying, Officers Suspected of Involvement

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia has uncovered the practice of renting luxury-equipped rooms inside Cibinong Class IIA Prison, Bogor Regency, West Java. The findings emerged after a second surprise inspection (sidak) conducted in September 2026, during which the oversight team was blocked and became involved in a shoving match with prison security officers.

Ombudsman RI member Syafrida Rachmawati Rasahan revealed that the room was equipped with a living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen, television, refrigerator, and other household appliances. The facilities far exceeded the standard housing for inmates in general. When the team sought information from one of the occupants, the person admitted to paying to be able to occupy the room. However, the payment amount has not been confirmed because prison officers suddenly arrived at the location and stopped the interview process.

"Yes, I paid. Well, that was what could not be confirmed earlier because the officers arrived," said Syafrida, as quoted by Antara, Wednesday (23/9).

Syafrida estimated that the luxury building had stood for about a year or more. Nevertheless, the Ombudsman is still investigating exactly when construction began and who has used it. These findings reinforce suspicions that irregularities inside the prison are not sporadic but structured and involve rogue officers.

Throughout 2026, the Ombudsman conducted two surprise inspections at Cibinong Prison. The first was in July 2026, followed by another in September 2026. On both occasions, the Ombudsman team said it was not allowed to enter to conduct an examination. In the last inspection, tensions even peaked into a shoving match between the Ombudsman team and prison security officers.

The Ombudsman then gave the prison an ultimatum to demolish the luxury building within one month. According to Syafrida, the demolition is one of the corrective actions that will be submitted to the Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjenpas). "We will ask for it as soon as possible. We will conduct another inspection, possibly in less than a month," she said.

In addition to demolition, the Ombudsman plans to restructure the leadership and ranks of Cibinong Prison. Inmates known to have used the luxury facilities will be returned to regular cells. Security measures will also be tightened, especially after two rear exit accesses were found open. "Lastly is tightening security and shutting down exit access. Because we found two earlier," said Syafrida.

The Ombudsman will compile all inspection findings into a review document and submit it to Ditjenpas along with recommendations for corrective action. The agency will also monitor the implementation of improvements to ensure no similar practices occur before the next inspection.

This case highlights the governance problems of correctional institutions that often escape oversight. Luxury facilities inside prisons are not only about unequal treatment of inmates but also an indication of a shadow economy involving rogue officers. If left unchecked, this practice could damage public trust in the correctional system and create systemic injustice.

Going forward, the public will wait to see whether the Ombudsman's recommendations are truly implemented or merely become a toothless document. Restructuring the prison ranks and closing illegal access will be the first test. The question is whether Ditjenpas can break this chain of irregularities, or instead let it continue behind the concrete walls that should be a place for rehabilitation.