BATAM - The Class IIA Batam Correctional Institution (Lapas) held the Inmate Sports Week (Porsenap) to enliven the commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The activity, which focuses on personality development, was officially opened on Friday (31/7) at the Batam Prison field, involving representatives of inmates from all residential blocks.
The opening ceremony was lively and symbolically marked by the release of balloons into the air by the Head of the Class IIA Batam Prison, Yosafat Rizanto. This step was greeted with cheers and high enthusiasm from the participants and all the inmates who were present to watch the opening of the competition.
In his speech, Yosafat emphasized that this sports event is not just a regular physical competition, but an important instrument for shaping positive character. Through sports, inmates are expected to foster values of sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork, and togetherness, which are highly needed during the social rehabilitation period.
"Make this activity a forum to cultivate mutual respect and high discipline. Winning is indeed pleasant, but maintaining togetherness and the determination to become a better individual is a much more primary goal," said Yosafat.
This year's Porsenap features six sports that are popular among inmates, including futsal, volleyball, badminton, sepak takraw, chess, and dominoes. To ensure all matches run safely and conducively, the prison management deployed supervisory officers in each match area to maintain order.
In addition to opening the Porsenap, the Head of Batam Prison also took the opportunity to socialize the granting of the General Remission for the 81st Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. This remission will be granted to inmates who have met administrative and substantive requirements. He also urged them to continue to behave well and obey the regulations in force within the prison.
Through this sports-based development program, the Batam Prison management hopes to create a healthy, harmonious, and productive environment. The major hope is that the values of discipline honed during the competition can equip inmates to be ready to reintegrate and make positive contributions to society after their sentence ends.
