Jakarta. The Immigration and Corrections Ministry has dismissed Cibinong Prison warden Wisnu Hani Putranto from the civil service following an investigation into apartment-like buildings near the prison that were allegedly used by inmates receiving preferential treatment.

Ministry Inspector General Rudi Setiawan said Monday that Wisnu had not only been removed as warden but also dismissed as a civil servant, the most severe sanction imposed in the widening disciplinary case.

Sixteen other prison employees, including former Cibinong warden Usman Madjid, received disciplinary sanctions of varying severity.

“We have examined both the former warden and the current warden and imposed sanctions on them,” Rudi said in Jakarta.

“Wisnu has also been dismissed from the civil service,” he added.

The ministry's internal investigation found abuse of authority, irregularities in the management of state assets and violations of standard operating procedures at the prison.

In total, 17 employees were sanctioned. Wisnu was dismissed, five others received severe disciplinary penalties and 11 received moderate sanctions.

From Ombudsman Inspection to Warden's Dismissal
The scandal began with a surprise inspection by the Indonesian Ombudsman on Sept. 23.

Ombudsman inspectors initially sought access to the prison's inmate cellblocks but were denied entry by officers. During their inspection of another part of the facility, they discovered a cluster of residential buildings suspected of being occupied by inmates.

The Ombudsman described the site as a suspected “luxury cluster” and raised concerns about preferential treatment and security vulnerabilities at the prison.

The buildings contained amenities far beyond those normally associated with prison accommodation, including air conditioners, large-screen televisions, refrigerators and sofas. Investigators also found a gym and a golf simulator under construction.

The discovery prompted further scrutiny from the House of Representatives' Commission XIII, which oversees immigration and corrections.

Five Cibinong Prison officials, including Wisnu, were initially suspended while the ministry conducted its investigation.

Ten of the controversial buildings were subsequently demolished after authorities determined that they lacked the required permits and were not properly registered as state assets.

The controversy eventually reached the top of Indonesia's corrections administration. Director General of Corrections Mashudi resigned several days after being questioned by lawmakers over the scandal.

Add as a preferred source on Google +