BADUNG, Bali — Four foreign nationals serving prison sentences in Bali were released on Monday after receiving sentence remissions as part of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day commemorations.

They were among 101 inmates across Bali who received General Remission II, which resulted in their immediate release. In total, 3,026 inmates received sentence reductions ranging from one to six months.

The remissions were symbolically presented by Bali Governor Wayan Koster at Kerobokan Prison in Badung on Monday.

“The remission is expected to encourage them to become more disciplined and orderly as they prepare to return to society,” Koster said.

Of the 3,026 recipients, 2,922 inmates received General Remission I, while 101 received General Remission II. Three juvenile inmates also received sentence reductions.

Data from the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections showed that 4,938 inmates were housed across 11 correctional facilities in Bali as of August 17, 2026.

The figure comprised 1,240 detainees and 3,698 convicted prisoners.

Bali’s correctional facilities include six prisons, four state detention centres and one Juvenile Special Rehabilitation Institution (LPKA).

Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections Andi Wijaya Rivai said the sentence reductions were granted following assessments of inmates’ conduct and participation in correctional programmes.

The assessment also took into account disciplinary records and any violations committed during their sentences.

Kerobokan Prison is among Bali’s correctional facilities with a significant foreign inmate population.

The prison houses 100 foreign inmates from 29 countries serving sentences for various offences, including narcotics-related crimes and murder.

Of those, 34 foreign inmates from 19 countries received sentence reductions.

However, Australian national Lamar Aaron Ahchee was not among them.

Ahchee is serving a nine-year prison sentence for a narcotics offence. He was excluded after being found in possession of a mobile phone allegedly given to him by his girlfriend during a visit on August 11, 2026.

The violation was recorded in Register F, making him ineligible for a sentence reduction.

“We will certainly take firm action. We are committed to ensuring that anyone who commits a violation is dealt with firmly, with sanctions ranging from light to severe,” Rivai said.

The Independence Day remission programme was granted based on inmates meeting behavioural and disciplinary requirements during their incarceration.

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