"Because the prison is overcapacity, Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Denny Indrayana has been asked to remove some of the inmates to other correctional facilities," Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered an investigation of rioting at the Tanjung Gusta prison in Medan, North Sumatra, that left five people dead and caused 240 inmates to escape, a chief security minister said.

"The President has ordered an in-depth investigation to establish the motive behind the rioting at the Tanjung Gusta correctional facility. National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo himself has appointed any of his officers to conduct the in-depth investigation," Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto said in a press conference here on Friday.

At a coordination meeting held earlier in the day to discuss the handling of the rioting case, the government decided to remove some of inmates to the closest prisons, he said.

"Because the prison is overcapacity, Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Denny Indrayana has been asked to remove some of the inmates to other correctional facilities," he said.

At least 240 inmates of the correctional facility escaped after creating rioting in the prison on Thursday.

Head of the correctional institution Muji Raharjo said the prisoners escaped at 18.30 local time after some of the jail breakers set fire on the prison administration office.

Muji said the prisoners also held 15 prison guards hostage before they broke away.

Muji said, according to initial conclusion the rioting began after shortage in water supply as a result of electricity problem in the prison.

The correctional institution had about 2,400 inmates before the incident.

The National Police said five people were killed in the arson.

"The five dead victims consist of two prison guards and three inmates assigned to help prison guards," spokesman of the National Police Headquarters Insp Gen Ronny F Sompie said.

"The situation has been under control. The fire has been put out. And ten prison guards have been evacuated to outside the prison," he said(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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