Lhokseumawe Prison Inmates Equipped with Furniture-Making Skills

LHOKSEUMAWE - Fifty-five inmates at the Class IIA Lhokseumawe Penitentiary (Lapas) were trained in furniture-making. They are expected to utilize their skills upon release and reintegration into society on Saturday (September 17th).

The Head of the Class IIA Lhokseumawe Penitentiary, Erry Taruna, through the Head of the Job Guidance Section, Ridwan Daud, in Lhokseumawe, stated that the furniture-making skills training program will last 20 days. "The goal is to enable inmates to create jobs upon their release," said Ridwan Daud.

The prison partnered with instructors from the Lhokseumawe State Polytechnic to guide and direct the inmates in acquiring furniture-making skills.

Ridwan Daud stated that the skills training program fosters independence to enhance the inmates' skills. Furthermore, these activities provide a way to enrich the inmates' daily lives, preventing boredom behind bars.

Ridwan Daud stated that the training participants were equipped with basic furniture knowledge, from theory to practice. The training program also presented both a challenge and an opportunity to accelerate human resources development, thus creating a productive prison.

"Hopefully, this training will become a vehicle for producing skilled workers who can equip inmates for life after serving their sentences," said Ridwan Daud.

According to Ridwan Daud, inmates need to acquire life skills. Furthermore, many recidivism rates are due to a lack of skills upon release after serving their sentences.

With these skills, Ridwan Daud said, inmates are expected to be able to generate income while living with their families and the community.

Meanwhile, Hendra Rida, Head of the Training Group, stated that the skills training is very beneficial for inmates. They will gain skills after their release and reintegrate into society.

"We would like to thank the Head of Lhokseumawe Prison, the Head of Guidance and Work, and other prison officers for guiding us to become even better than before. This training will equip us with the skills we need upon our release," said Hendra Rida.