RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Bali has become the stage for international dialogue on criminal justice reform as the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole (WCPP) convenes at the Bali International Convention Center, Nusa Dua. More than 400 delegates from 40 countries are sharing experiences and strategies to develop more humane and effective approaches to inmate rehabilitation.

Indonesian Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, highlighted that the congress has produced recommendations to guide correctional systems worldwide, emphasizing three key principles: smarter justice, restorative recovery, and social harmony.

He noted that punishment models are shifting away from incarceration toward recovery-focused systems. “Correctional approaches should be flexible, data-driven, and evidence-based,” Agus said, as quoted by Antara, stressing that alternatives to prison can be both cost-efficient and fair without diminishing the essence of justice.

The restorative concept, he explained, repositions law not as a tool of retribution but as a means of reintegration for offenders, victims, and society. Meanwhile, the social harmony principle aims to break cycles of repeat offending through mentoring, rehabilitation, and supervision by parole agencies.

Indonesia also presented its own correctional model, which prioritizes empowering inmates with skills to prepare them for reintegration. “Our approach differs from other countries, but through this exchange we can learn what works best and adapt accordingly,” Agus added.

The congress also showcased creative works from inmates across 33 Indonesian provinces, including crafts, fashion, and small enterprises. In Bali, inmates contributed directly to the event’s preparations, from decorations to contemporary music and dance performances -- demonstrating empowerment in practice to an international audience. ***