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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesia Prepares 36 Nutritious Meal Kitchens in Prisons for Late May Launch

From Tempo · (3h ago) Indonesian Positive tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Indonesia's Directorate General of Corrections is preparing to launch 36 free nutritious meal (MBG) kitchens in correctional facilities by the end of May 2026.
  • These kitchens, located within or adjacent to prisons, are part of a national program to improve inmate nutrition, with 70 sites identified and 36 currently under construction.
  • The program involves collaboration with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and utilizes inmates as workers, with a portion of them undergoing health assessments and training.

Indonesia is taking a significant step towards enhancing the welfare of its incarcerated population with the upcoming operationalization of 36 free nutritious meal (MBG) kitchens within correctional facilities nationwide. Scheduled for launch by the end of May 2026, this initiative, spearheaded by the Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjenpas) under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, signifies a commitment to providing healthier food options for inmates.

Hopefully, it will be operational by the end of May. Currently, there are 18 plus 18 more, so only 36 kitchens have been worked on and built.

— MashudiDirector General of Corrections, providing an update on the MBG kitchen construction timeline.

Director General of Corrections Mashudi announced that these 36 kitchens are in addition to 18 already established, bringing the total to 50 operational units. The program aims to establish 70 MBG kitchen sites across the country, with the chosen locations within prison grounds, either inside or outside the main correctional environment. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is involved in this project, notably by covering land rental costs, which are categorized as Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP).

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) pays the land rental fee, which counts as Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP).

— MashudiExplaining the financial arrangement between the correctional facilities and the BGN.

A unique aspect of this program is the integration of inmates into the workforce. Each kitchen will employ 46 individuals, with 20 of them being inmates who have passed rigorous selection, assessment, and health checks. The remaining 26 staff members will be professionals. This approach not only provides inmates with valuable work experience and skills but also contributes to the operational efficiency of the kitchens, fostering a sense of purpose and rehabilitation.

There will be 46 workers in each kitchen, with 26 professionals and 20 from inmates who have been assessed and can work in the kitchen to serve MBG.

— MashudiDetailing the workforce composition for the MBG kitchens.

Mashudi highlighted that the construction of these MBG kitchens is progressing well, with an overall achievement of 90 percent. The kitchens are strategically located across various regions, including Sumatra, Sulawesi, South Kalimantan, and Bengkulu. The MBG kitchen at Sukamiskin Penitentiary has been serving as a pilot project, demonstrating the program's viability. This initiative reflects a broader national effort, supported by Minister of Law and Human Rights Agus Andrianto, to leverage existing prison facilities that meet hygiene and food safety standards, aiming to improve the nutritional intake and overall well-being of those within the correctional system.

BGN feels helped by the extraordinary initiative so that the program can run properly.

— Dadan HindayanaHead of the National Nutrition Agency, expressing gratitude for the collaboration with correctional facilities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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