Over 50 Prisoners Escape Indonesia’s Crowded Jail

A dramatic jailbreak unfolded at the Kutacane Penitentiary in Aceh, Indonesia, as over 50 inmates forced their way through security doors and fled the overcrowded facility.

The mass escape, which occurred during the evening meal distribution on Monday, has triggered a nationwide manhunt, with authorities still searching for 32 fugitives as of Wednesday.

Footage captured by locals shows inmates scrambling across the prison roof and leaping over fences onto bustling streets. Civilians outside the facility attempted to stop the escapees, with some tackling them before prison guards intervened. Despite these efforts, many prisoners managed to flee into the surrounding area.

Aceh Police Chief Doni Sumarsono urged the fugitives to surrender. “It’s better to turn yourselves in than to face harsher sentences,” he said. Authorities have deployed additional police and military forces to secure the prison and conduct searches in nearby areas.

The jailbreak has been linked to severe overcrowding at the facility, which was designed for 100 inmates but currently houses 368.

Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto acknowledged the strain on Indonesia’s correctional system, noting that prisons nationwide are operating at 87% above capacity. He called for reforms, including prioritizing rehabilitation for drug offenders to reduce inmate populations.

The incident began during Ramadan meal distribution when impatient inmates broke through three locked doors and rushed toward the main gate. By 6:25 PM local time, dozens had escaped into a nearby market area. Officials are investigating whether overcrowding or staff behavior contributed to the breakout.

Prison escapes are not uncommon in Indonesia, where facilities often struggle with inadequate security and chaotic conditions caused by overpopulation.

Previous incidents include mass escapes in Sumatra (2019), Banda Aceh (2018), and Riau Province (2018), highlighting systemic challenges within the country’s correctional system.

As the search continues, authorities are calling on communities to report sightings of escapees while emphasizing the need for urgent reforms to address overcrowding and improve prison conditions.