The authorities in Bali are considering relocating the infamous Kerobokan Prison, which houses many of Indonesia's notorious criminals, including members of Australia's "Bali Nine" and terrorists. The colony, which detains long-term foreign convicts among others, is set to be moved far from popular tourist areas.
Goodbye, Kuta?
Currently, the prison is located in North Kuta, just steps away from the trendy and bustling Canggu and Seminyak areas. Due to its proximity to luxury resorts, it is informally known as "Hotel K".
When it opened in the late 1970s, Kerobokan Prison was designed for only 300 inmates. However, according to the latest official data, there are now over 1,400 people incarcerated, including both men and women—Indonesian citizens and foreigners alike.
Too Luxurious for Criminals
The idea to relocate the prison came from Bali's Governor Wayan Koster and Badung Regent Wayan Adi Arnawa. The new prison, to be built from scratch, may be located in Jembrana in western Bali, a region considered one of the least developed in terms of tourism.
The main reason for relocating Kerobokan Prison is to implement long-term plans for road expansion, particularly on sections of Jalan Teuku Umar Barat–Tangkuban Perahu. Authorities emphasize that improving transport infrastructure in this area is crucial as tourism demand in Badung is rapidly growing.
Regent Wayan Adi Arnawa confirmed: “We traveled to Jembrana with the governor and inspected several sites that would be suitable for building the new prison.”
Kerobokan's Most Notorious Inmates
For many years, Kerobokan Prison has been a symbol of Indonesia's strict laws, especially regarding drugs. Among its most famous inmates are members of the "Bali Nine," convicted for heroin smuggling. Two of them, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed in 2015.
Also awaiting execution here were the terrorists involved in the 2002 Bali bombings. The death sentences for Amrozi bin Nurhasyim and Imam Samudra were carried out in 2008.
Another inmate of "Hotel K," British woman Lindsay Sandiford, sentenced to death for drug offenses, was repatriated to the United Kingdom a couple of weeks ago.
Bali.Live reminds everyone of Indonesia's zero-tolerance policy on drugs. Any product containing cannabis or its derivatives is strictly prohibited. Possession of drugs even for personal use risks a severe prison sentence.
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