While thousands of convicts languish in less than satisfactory conditions
in Indonesia, others have been found to enjoy rooms equipped with spa products, LCD televisions, queen-sized beds and fitness equipment. Others have been awarded access to laser treatment for facials, hairdressers, massages and air conditioning. In the wake of the exposure of this scam, Artalyta Suryani — who was convicted of bribing a senior state prosecutor in relation to a corruption case in 2008 and was sentenced to five years of prison and received luxurious treatment inside the prison — has been moved to a regular cell; the warden of the penitentiary
in question has been stood down; and audits of prisons are around the country are being conducted — the first month of 2010 bodes well for Indonesia, but can the country's
judiciary be relied upon to continue this streak of transparency for the next 12 months?