Topic: 2025 – Treatment of Prisoners
Country: Indonesia
Delegate Name: Adam Weston
Country: Republic of Indonesia
Delegate: Adam Weston
School: Williamston High School
Committee: HRC
Topic: Treatment of Prisoners
In the modern world, crime can not go without repercussions. These repercussions must be reasonable and fair in comparison to the crime committed. However many incarcerated individuals are treated unfairly and fundamental human rights can be violated. With this it can lead to deteriorating mental health in prisoners and leaving the prisoner in a worse condition than their initial entrance to the facility. The main goal going forward should be to rehabilitate and help the prisoners recover. Also to improve conditions inside prisons, such as crowding and possible corruption. Focusing on helping the individual’s societal views and connections is a must. The prisoners’ reentrance to society should be gentle and promote their well being and whilst also focusing upon moral values and compassion.
Indonesia views this problem as an extremely high priority to address. Over time Indonesia’s prisons have faced the extreme problem of overcrowding (Harsono). During the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, Indonesia faced the issue of Covid-19 spreading through prisons that were overcrowding leading inmates and officials becoming infected. Indonesian prisons face an issue of poor facilities as well. Improper sleeping arrangements and poor ventilation throughout overall has harmed conditions. This overcrowding has reached a point where the majority of prisons are operating at double the intended capacity (Maulana et al.).This then can lead to increased tensions and violence. Which can hurt the prisoners in a variety of ways. With violence can lead to physical and mental harm, and even result in inmate death. Another problem faced in prisons in Indonesia is inadequate health systems. Most prisons aren’t staffed with medical professionals, prisoners who have chronic illnesses are not treated properly, and can lead to deaths. These conditions violate the Mandela Rules (“Nelson Mandela Rules”). The Mandela Rules were established by the UN and they are a set of internationally agreed upon standards for the humane treatment of prisoners.
Indonesia proposes new laws and regulations to limit pre-detention policies as this correlates to the majority of the overcrowding. Indonesia would also like to see collaboration between ASEAN allies on monitoring sites. To help ensure rights are being upheld and protection of the individual. Indonesia views the protection of these individuals rights as necessary. Future plans include an overhaul of the penal system, by having a high focus on overseeing conditions. Making a system that focuses on following the Mandela Rules. To ensure the rights of prisoners are being upheld. Indonesia calls upon other countries to act with it to help fix this problem and work towards a brighter future.
Works Cited
Harsono, Andreas. “Covid-19 Spreads in Indonesia’s Overcrowded Prisons.” Human Rights Watch, 26 August 2020, https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/26/covid-19-spreads-indonesias-overcrowded-prisons? Accessed 18 November 2025.
Maulana, Iwa, et al. “Integrity Zones in Indonesian prisons: Addressing corruption amid overcrowding.” Anti Corruption Resource Centre, 22 April 2025, https://www.u4.no/publications/integrity-zones-in-indonesian-prisons-addressing-corruption-amid-overcrowding? Accessed 18 November 2025.
“Nelson Mandela Rules.” the United Nations, https://www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/mandela_rules.shtml. Accessed 18 November 2025.
