Eyewitness – Nusa Dua
The Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Agus Andrianto, has indicated that the long-standing overcrowding issue at the Kerobokan Class 1 Prison in Badung may finally see a resolution. The plan to relocate the facility has been under discussion since 2020 in coordination with Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR-RI).
”Overcapacity is not a new challenge. We have been working on the development of seven new, more spacious correctional facilities located outside urban centers. This includes relocating the current prison in Badung Regency to Jembrana Regency,” Andrianto stated during a press conferences april 14,2026.
According to Eyewitness reports from 2018–2020, then-Warden Tonny Nainggolan noted that the number of inmates significantly exceeded the facility’s intended capacity. While the prison was designed to hold approximately 700 individuals, the male inmate population at the time surpassed 2,500.
The Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, added that the relocation to Jembrana will be carried out in stages. He emphasized that mapping, the centralization of cell blocks, administrative offices, facilities, and—most importantly—security systems must be prioritized.
”There is a plan to move Kerobokan Prison to a more suitable location. The current 4-hectare site is too small and is situated in a major tourism hub, which is no longer ideal,” Koster explained.
The Governor further noted that the Regent of Badung has shown strong support for the move, a sentiment echoed by the Minister. The new facility will be constructed on 11 hectares of provincial government land in Jembrana. Under the proposed agreement, the project will be funded and built by the Badung Regency, after which the Minister will grant the assets to the Regency for its intended long-term use.
The new prison in Jembrana is in Melaya region expected to be completed by mid-2027. Once the relocation is finalized, the current Kerobokan site is slated to be transformed into the Badung City Park, serving as a new green space in the heart of Bali’s tourism district.
Reporter: Daniel Herry
