Activism
We are starting a series of articles about prisons around the world and everything related to them, from prison hierarchies to successful escape attempts. Our first stop will be Indonesia, a country with serious human rights problems, including a ban on marijuana that is causing significant hardship for Indonesian society.
In the first part of our article, Black Paper (name changed – ed.), an Indonesian student who is currently under arrest, shared with Nottoday his story of detention and answered questions such as: why hasn’t marijuana been legalized in Indonesia yet? What are the penalties for its possession and use? What happens behind the walls of Indonesian prisons? And how can one come to anarchist views while under arrest? — Yes, Black Paper, having been behind bars, became fascinated with anarchist ideas.
The answers to these questions will be supplemented by the Indonesian independent music scene, as it has had a significant social-political impact on young people in Indonesia, bringing them not only knowledge about social issues and where they come from, but also, if only for a time, freedom in its strings and beats on plastic drums. However, more details about this will be provided in the second part of our material.
The answers to these questions will be supplemented by the independent Indonesian music scene, as it has had a significant socio-political impact on young people in Indonesia. Beyond providing knowledge about social issues and their origins, it has also given them, if only temporarily, a sense of freedom through their strings and the beats of plastic drums. However, we will delve into this in more detail in the second part of our material.
Black Paper, student in Indonesia
— What is your story? What circumstances have led to your arrest?
— I am a student at a private university in Indonesia. I was detained by the National Narcotics Agency for possession of 2 kilograms of marijuana. According to Indonesian law, marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 drug, so anyone who possesses or distributes it faces imprisonment.
I support myself and pay for my own education. Sometimes I take on part-time jobs to cover my daily expenses, but working affects my studies, leaving me with no time for them. That’s why I thought about selling marijuana to pay for my education, as tuition fees in Indonesia are high while the quality of education is not good enough to truly support you in life—especially at the university where I study.
But the main question that interests me in this whole story is: why does Indonesia not dare to explore marijuana for medical purposes? It could fundamentally change the situation in the country. I believe the reason lies in competition with the pharmaceutical industry.
Illustration by Volha
— What do you mean by competition with the pharmaceutical business?
— It is obvious that there is business interference in the pharmaceutical industry because if marijuana becomes legal in Indonesia and is used for medical purposes, the sale of pharmaceutical drugs will decrease. After all, marijuana grown in Indonesia—where the climate allows it to be of high quality—would clearly be a better medicine than the drugs currently offered by pharmaceutical companies. This would threaten their business.
— I suppose marijuana is a popular drug in Indonesia, as it is around the world. Do many people smoke it?
– Yes, marijuana is widely used in Indonesia, but you can get arrested for it. If marijuana is legalized in Indonesia, Indonesians will definitely switch to herbal medicine instead of pharmaceuticals that are currently available in the country. I am sure many agree and as a result will demand decriminalization and legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, not to mention its full legalization, it is only a matter of time.
— How difficult is it to get marijuana on the streets of Indonesia? What are the penalties for possession and use?
— In Indonesia, drugs are easily bought and sold through social networks. They are very easy to get. Prison sentences are determined by the court. If a lot of evidence is gathered against you, the sentence will be harsher; if there’s little evidence, you might get lucky. I was sentenced to 7 years in prison and an additional 6-month sentence for possession of 2 kg of marijuana.
— What are the most common charges people are arrested for in Indonesia?
— In Indonesia, most cases for which people are imprisoned are related to drugs. The other cases involve general crimes such as theft, murder, and rape, but prisons in Indonesia are mostly full of people involved in drugs.
— What is the daily routine like in prison? How do you spend your time?
— Like most people here, I started spending more time worshipping God and reading books. I often talk to other prisoners, listening to their stories about arrests and trials. Sometimes I observe the prison guards at work, who don’t always perform their duties conscientiously.
Illustration by Volha
— Belarus is a police state, and the power of the police knows no bounds, especially in prisons. How strong is the police control in Indonesian prisons? Do prisoners have the opportunity to fight for their rights?
— When people end up in prison, the police no longer have control; in Indonesian prisons, they are replaced by prison guards—this is a separate state structure that holds significant influence and control here. They grant special “privileges” to those who have money or relatives in high positions. Their power allows them to distribute these “privileges”.
— What privileges for the rich are you talking about?
— The privilege of those who have a lot of money is that they can do whatever they want by buying the law. That’s what happens in Indonesia.
— Is there a strict hierarchy or caste system inside the prison?
— Yes, undoubtedly, there is a division based on status among prisoners in Indonesian prisons.
In the prison where I am, I see that those who are well-off, have connections, or money receive special treatment and better conditions. Those who don’t have these things have nothing in prison.
— How are people who differ from the general population of prisoners treated: those with mental health issues, or those of a different sexual orientation?
— They are treated the same as the rest. Special treatment is only given to those who feed the guards and prison authorities.
— Are there any gangs in prisons?
— In the prison where I am serving my sentence, there are no gangs, but in Indonesia, there are several prisons where gangs exist.
— How has your life changed during your imprisonment? You wrote that you became interested in anarchism?
— When I ended up in prison, I saw a lot of injustice, bribery, intimidation, and corruption. My whole life changed: my family became distant from me, and my close ones started seeing me as a filthy criminal… My dreams and future were destroyed in an instant.
One thing I firmly decided for myself is that I don’t regret what happened, because I believe marijuana is not a dangerous plant. It is the laws of the state that make it dangerous. I am sure I didn’t make a mistake; I was just looking for a way to survive and continue my education without burdening anyone.
When I was arrested and went through the trial, I saw numerous violations. That’s when my worldview changed, and I came to the conclusion that state institutions can no longer be trusted. They are the ones committing crimes and harming society.
— What violations of the trial process did you encounter?
— During the trial, there were several violations: the prosecutor did not perform their duties properly, and I was supposed to be accompanied by a lawyer, but they weren’t present, and the trial continued.
Illustration by Volha
— Do prisoners’ political beliefs influence their status in prison?
— No, I wouldn’t say so. Indonesian prisoners in general—especially those who are in the same prison as I am—are blind to politics. They spend their days like slaves, obeying and fearing the prison guards, even though their rights are not granted to them. They could fight for those rights, and then the guards would be forced to fear the prisoners. But they don’t do that.
In Indonesia, if you have money, you become a god. That’s why those with resources feel fine, even while in prison. They don’t need to think about politics to make their lives better or more equal.
— What can you say about anarchism in Indonesia?
— I don’t know much about anarchism in Indonesia. I started getting interested in anarchism only after ending up in prison, and that changed my perspective and my way of life. I truly feel that anarchism is for me. Now I’m trying to learn more about anarchism, reading books, articles, and talking to various anarchists from around the world.
— How do anarchist ideas help you in prison?
— Anarchism views all people as equal, without masters—even if you’re rich and I’m poor, we are equal. And there are no special rights for you just because you have money. We should support each other, fight for justice, and against the government’s power and the insane system.
— Thank you, one final question. A more personal one: back in Belarus, I didn’t see much of a future for myself. Do you see your future in Indonesia, considering the current situation in the country? And what would you like to say to the readers at the end?
— I just want Indonesia to be a country that fights against all forms of oppression and injustice. And despite everything, I still want to be an ordinary person living in this world, without domination and a system.
And If the government of a country neglects its people and their path, the people will turn to themselves and determine their own way.
The answers were sent while Black Paper is serving its sentence. Phones are prohibited in Indonesian prisons, so the answers are brief, but I hope this won’t be the last material we create together. Thank you for being with us! – editor.