RRI.CO.ID, Tanggerang - Indonesia is advancing inclusive economic development by empowering prison inmates through cooperative-based programs. This initiative was marked by a strategic agreement between the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections in Tangerang, Monday, April 27, 2026 .

The memorandum of understanding was signed as part of the 62nd Corrections Service Day commemoration. It aims to strengthen economic empowerment, capacity building, and institutional support for inmates through cooperatives.

Vice Minister of Cooperatives, Farida Farichah, affirmed that the agreement reflects a strong commitment to transforming inmates into active economic participants. She highlighted that cooperatives would serve as a key instrument in this transformation process.

“We want to ensure that inmates are not only objects of rehabilitation but also subjects of economic development through cooperatives,” Farida said. She added that this approach is expected to enhance their readiness to reintegrate into society.

Through the program, inmates will receive training in entrepreneurship and business management to improve their skills. This initiative is designed to equip them with relevant competencies for sustainable livelihoods after release.

The government will also support market access for products made by inmates, including agriculture, fisheries, and handicrafts. These products will be connected to broader distribution networks, including village cooperative systems.

“We are ready to help expand market access for products created by inmates, many of which already show strong potential in agriculture and fisheries,” Farida stated. She also noted that financial support would be provided through a revolving fund management agency to strengthen cooperative capacity.

Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto welcomed the collaboration, stressing the need for a transformative approach in correctional institutions. “We are transforming prisons into independent and sustainable business centers, where they not only confine but also empower,” he said, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration.