# Southeast Asia's VIP Prison Scandals Highlight Inequality

> Southeast Asian prisons reveal luxury facilities for wealthy inmates, exposing systemic inequality.
- Title: Southeast Asia's VIP Prison Scandals Highlight Inequality · Dw
- Summary: Southeast Asian prisons reveal luxury facilities for wealthy inmates, exposing systemic inequality. Southeast Asian prisons provide luxury accommodations for…
- Keywords: indonesia, cibinong prison, seoul, corruption, prison inequality, seaport, seaport prison, seaport scandal, seaport officials, seaport warden, seaport investigation, seaport officials suspended
- Source: Dw — https://dw.com/en/indonesian-vip-prison-scandal-exposes-inequality-across-southeast-asia/a-79659535?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: indonesia, cibinong prison, seoul, corruption, prison inequality, seaport, seaport prison, seaport scandal, seaport officials, seaport warden, seaport investigation, seaport officials suspended
## Indonesia's Cibinong Prison Luxury Find
Indonesia's Ombudsman uncovered air-conditioned apartments with sofas, TVs, and a golf simulator during a surprise inspection.

> Air-conditioned apartments, flat-screen televisions and even a golf simulator are hardly what most people would associate with life behind bars.
## Five Officials Suspended, Warden Dismissed
Five prison officials were suspended, while the warden was dismissed on October 5 after the luxury findings.

> Five prison officials were initially suspended, while the prison's warden was dismissed on October 5.
## Indonesia's 2018 Luxury Prison Scandal
In 2018, Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission found wealthy inmates at Sukamiskin Prison enjoyed private apartment-style accommodations.

> In 2018, investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission discovered that wealthy inmates at Sukamiskin Prison in Bandung enjoyed accommodation resembling private apartments.
## Thailand's Chinese Prison Scandal
Thailand investigated allegations that Chinese prisoners at Bangkok Remand Prison received special privileges, including an executive lounge.

> Last November, authorities in Thailand investigated allegations that Chinese prisoners at Bangkok Remand Prison received special privileges, including access to an executive lounge.
## Malaysia's Political Prison Scandals
Malaysia has repeatedly seen allegations of preferential treatment for politically connected prisoners, prompting renewed calls for independent prison inspections.

> In Malaysia, allegations of preferential treatment for politically connected prisoners have repeatedly surfaced.
## Money and Influence in Prisons
Iwa Maulana, a senior researcher at Indonesia's Center for Detention Studies, says money and influence act as capital within prison systems.

> Just like in the outside world, money and influence act as capital within the prison system.
## Overcrowded Prison Systems
Indonesia's prisons held 279,000 people in late September, 21% above official capacity, while Thailand's prisons held 301,000 inmates.

> Indonesia's detention facilities held approximately 279,000 people in late September, despite having an official capacity of around 154,000.
## Corruption in Prison Systems
Southeast Asian countries rank low on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, indicating widespread corruption in prison administrations.

> Corruption within prison administrations also reflects wider governance problems, with Southeast Asian states routinely appearing at the bottom of Transparency International's annual Corruption Perceptions Index.
## Inequality in Prison Conditions
Poorer inmates rely on family deposits for food and hygiene, while wealthy inmates receive luxury accommodations, highlighting systemic inequality.

> Poorer inmates often rely on money deposited by relatives into prison canteen accounts to purchase food, clean water and hygiene products.
## Key takeaway

Southeast Asian prisons provide luxury accommodations for wealthy inmates, highlighting systemic inequality.