Prisoners celebrate Christmas in style

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

When Emilia stepped onto the stage, Cipinang Prison in East Jakarta went strangely silent. Hundreds of inmates started to applaud, waiting eagerly for her performance to start.

"She is definitely going to win," one inmate said to his friend.

Emilia was performing as part of a Christmas celebration held at the penitentiary Wednesday. To perform at the event, she had defeated dozens of other singers from 11 prisons located in and around Jakarta the previous day.

Organized by officers from Cipinang penitentiary, the competition was divided into the solo vocalist, group and religious song categories.

Emilia had made it to the final of the solo vocalist category.

"Leading up to this event I trained two times every week," the young woman said.

This will be Emilia's first Christmas in prison. She started serving her one-year sentence three months ago in Pondok Bambu Prison in East Jakarta.

"I am sad because my family never comes to visit me," said Emilia, who declined to disclose the reason for her imprisonment.

"I have friends here though and I am doing fine," she said.

Up to 500 inmates and dozens of prison officers attended the final of the singing competition, watching from two separate areas. Contestants, officials, family members and reporters watched from the second floor, while inmates from Cipinang prison watched from the first floor.

For Jackson, a Cipinang inmate convicted of drug-related offenses, this will be his last Christmas in prison.

"One more week and I can go home. I can't wait to see my family," he said.

"It is hard not having my family here to celebrate with me, which is what Christmas is all about. It has made me reflect on my life," he said.

The celebrations kicked off at 9 a.m. with a prayer session, followed by performances from competition finalists. After trophies were handed out to the winners, the prisoners were escorted back to their respective cells.

Emilia took out the solo vocalist category, with Jackson finishing in third place.

It was the first time Christmas prayers had been conducted inside the prison. In previous years, prisoners were escorted to a nearby church.

The singing competition involved inmates from correctional institutions in Cipinang, Pondok Bambu and Salemba in Jakarta as well as inmates from prisons in Tangerang, Serang, Bekasi and Bogor.

"I do hope this brings happiness to everyone," Jackson said. (anw)