A 2026 study by Rahmah Novia Sari Bancin, Asima Yanty
Silvanya Siahaan, and Tunggul Sihombing from Universitas Sumatera Utara finds
that narcotics rehabilitation policies in Class I Medan Correctional
Institution improve inmate behavior but have not significantly reduced prison
overcrowding. The findings are critical as overcrowding remains a major
challenge in Indonesia’s correctional system.
Prison overcrowding has become a persistent issue across
Indonesia, driven largely by the high number of narcotics-related cases. Data
show that most correctional facilities exceed their capacity, leading to
problems such as violence, poor sanitation, and limited access to healthcare.
In Medan’s Class I Correctional Institution alone, the number of inmates has
far exceeded its intended capacity, with the majority incarcerated for
drug-related offenses.
To examine how rehabilitation policies address this issue,
the researchers used a qualitative approach. Data were collected through
in-depth interviews, direct observation, and document analysis within the
correctional facility. The study focused on two main aspects: the content of
the policy and the context of its implementation, based on Merilee S. Grindle’s
policy framework.
The findings reveal a mixed outcome. On one hand,
rehabilitation programs deliver clear benefits at the individual level:
- Inmates show improved behavior and discipline
- Psychological and social conditions improve
- Readiness for reintegration into society increases
- Risk of relapse into drug abuse decreases
However, these positive impacts do not translate into a
reduction in overcrowding. The study identifies several key barriers:
- Limited human resources and trained rehabilitation staff
- Insufficient funding and facilities
- Restricted program capacity due to quotas and administrative requirements
- Weak coordination between institutions
- Continued high inflow of narcotics offenders into prisons
The research also highlights a structural issue:
rehabilitation programs operate only at the prison level, while the main
drivers of overcrowding originate from broader criminal justice policies that
still rely heavily on incarceration. As a result, rehabilitation acts more as a
corrective measure rather than a preventive solution.
Rahmah Novia Sari Bancin from Universitas Sumatera Utara
explains that while rehabilitation policies are well-designed and beneficial,
their impact is limited by implementation constraints and systemic factors. She
emphasizes the need for stronger coordination, increased resources, and policy
reform that allows alternative sentencing for drug users.
The study suggests that reducing overcrowding requires a
more comprehensive approach. This includes strengthening institutional
capacity, expanding rehabilitation programs, and shifting toward
community-based or restorative justice models. Without these changes, prisons
will continue to face capacity crises despite ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
The implications are significant for policymakers. Improving
rehabilitation alone is not enough; it must be integrated with broader legal
reforms and upstream interventions to reduce the number of inmates entering the
system.
Author Profile
- Rahmah Novia Sari Bancin - Universitas Sumatera Utara
- Asima Yanty Silvanya Siahaan- Universitas Sumatera Utara
- Tunggul Sihombing- Universitas Sumatera Utara
Source
Bancin, R. N. S., Siahaan, A. Y. S., & Sihombing, T. (2026). Implementation
of Policy on Providing Narcotics Rehabilitation Services in Handling
Overcrowded in Class I Correctional Institutions in Medan. Contemporary
Journal of Applied Sciences (CJAS), Vol. 4 No. 3, 219–234.
DOI :https://doi.org/10.55927/cjas.v4i3.140
URL: https://ntlformosapublisher.org/index.php/cjas
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