Ombudsman Exposes Luxury Cluster at Cibinong Prison: Inmates Pay, Alphard Cars and Minigolf Plans

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia has uncovered privileged practices inside Cibinong Class IIA Prison in Bogor Regency, West Java. From two surprise inspections held in July and September 2026, the team found a residential complex resembling a hotel, luxury vehicles, and plans to build a mini golf course in an area that should serve as a rehabilitation space for inmates.

The findings came to light after Ombudsman member Syafrida Rachmawati Rasahan revealed the existence of several buildings with complete facilities: a living room, bedroom, kitchen, television, refrigerator, and other household furniture. Surprisingly, one occupant claimed to be an inmate and said he paid to occupy the unit. “He admitted he was an inmate, he paid, he spent money,” Syafrida said, as quoted from the Ombudsman's official statement.

However, the investigation team did not have time to dig into the amount paid because prison officers restricted interaction. The Ombudsman suspects the buildings have stood for about a year or more. In the same area, a gym facility is under construction and a mini golf shelter is planned. “A gym facility is being built, and there is a plan to build a shelter for mini golf,” Syafrida added.

Ombudsman member Fikri Yasin highlighted the presence of several housing units with garages parking luxury vehicles. “In that cluster there are luxury cars, for example an Alphard, a Fortuner, then many other cars,” he said. The Ombudsman is now hunting for the identities of the vehicle owners in coordination with Korlantas Polri.

Beyond physical facilities, the Ombudsman found a serious security gap. Two exit accesses behind the prison connect directly to residential areas, separated only by bushes and bamboo. This condition opens the opportunity for inmates to come and go without supervision. The Ombudsman has asked that the accesses be permanently closed and security tightened.

Facing the findings, the Head of the West Java Regional Office of Ditjenpas, Yudi Suseno, denied any privileged practices. He stated that the buildings in question are official residences located in the assimilation zone, formerly called the Assimilation and Education Facility (SAE). “Official residences that have an Official Residence Decree,” Yudi said. He promised to follow up if violations are found.

Similarly, the Head of Cibinong IIA Prison, Wisnu Hani Putranto, dismissed allegations of illegal levies. “Alhamdulillah, there are none here,” he said while accompanying Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Agus Andrianto and Head of Bappisus Aris Marsudiyanto in inspecting the location on Friday (25/9). Wisnu also denied obstructing the Ombudsman team and stressed that security standards already comply with SOP.

Minister Imipas Agus Andrianto went directly to the field to confirm the findings. He pressed the prison head on who the actual occupants were. “Is this occupied by employees?” Agus asked. He targets the investigation to be completed within a week and the results to be announced to the public. “We will dig into whether these employee houses are truly used as employee housing or utilized for other interests,” he stressed.

The Cibinong Prison case mirrors the problems of correctional governance in Indonesia. If it is true that inmates are renting luxury housing, then the principle of equality inside the prison is under threat. Such practices also risk creating unequal services and strengthening dark economic networks behind prison walls. The Ombudsman stressed that the demolition of the buildings will be one of the corrective recommendations to Ditjenpas.

The public now waits to see whether the Minister Imipas's one-week investigation can uncover the actors behind the elite facilities, or whether it will simply evaporate like many other cases. What is clear is that the high walls of Cibinong Prison are no longer enough to shield privileged practices that undermine justice.