The impact of delayed disease treatment on inmates' right to life and health: A comparative study of correctional healthcare systems

Melva Retta Ruby Simanjuntak

Authors

Melva Retta Ruby Simanjuntak Department of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia, Depok, West Java, 16424, Indonesia

Keywords:

correctional institutions, preventife healthcare, right to health

Abstract

Background: Correctional institutions are responsible for ensuring inmates’ right to life and health. However, many prisons prioritize curative healthcare over preventive measures, leading to severe health risks. This study examines the case of inmate AM’s death at Blitar Prison, which resulted from delayed medical intervention. The study also compares healthcare practices in different correctional facilities to highlight best practices. Methods: The method used in this research is doctrinal research. Additionally, a comparative analysis is performed by evaluating healthcare standards in other prisons, particularly Class IIB Sampit Prison, which implements daily health check-ups. Findings: The study reveals that Blitar Prison failed to implement adequate preventive healthcare services, which contributed to AM’s death. The lack of health education and routine medical check-ups resulted in delayed treatment, violating inmates' fundamental rights. A comparison with Sampit Prison demonstrates that proactive healthcare policies, including daily medical examinations and in-cell visits, significantly improve inmate health outcomes. Conclusion: To prevent similar cases, correctional institutions must enhance preventive healthcare services through regular medical screenings and health education for inmates. Additionally, the Directorate General of Corrections must establish a revised Basic Healthcare Service Standard for prisons in accordance with Law No. 22 of 2022. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study provides a critical evaluation of prison healthcare policies and emphasizes the shift from a curative approach to a preventive one. By highlighting best practices, the research contributes to policy recommendations that can improve healthcare in correctional institutions.

References

Abdussalam, H. R., & Sitompul, D. P. M. (2005). Sistem peradilan pidana. PTIK Press.

Bahar, S. (1996). Hak asasi manusia: Analisis Komnas HAM dan jajaran Hankam/ABRI. Pustaka Sinar Harapan.

Banerjee, D., Rabheru, K., de Mendonca Lima, C. A., & Ivbijaro, G. (2021). Role of dignity in mental healthcare: impact on ageism and human rights of older persons. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 29(10), 1000-1008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2021.05.011

Bhat, P. I. (2019). Idea and methods of legal research. Oxford University Press.

Bożek, A., Nowak, P. F., & Blukacz, M. (2020). The relationship between spirituality, health-related behavior, and psychological well-being. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 1997. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01997

Cranston, M. (1973). What are human rights?. Taplinger.

Das, K. V., Jones-Harrell, C., Fan, Y., Ramaswami, A., Orlove, B., & Botchwey, N. (2020). Understanding subjective well-being: perspectives from psychology and public health. Public Health Reviews, 41, 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40985-020-00142-5

Direktorat Jenderal Pemasyarakatan Kementerian Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia. (2022). Laporan tahunan 2022. Direktorat Jenderal Pemasyarakatan.

Direktorat Jenderal Pemasyarakatan. (2015). Standar pelayanan dasar perawatan kesehatan di lapas, rutan, bapas, LPKA dan LPAS. Direktorat Jenderal Pemasyarakatan.

Effendi, A. M. (2005). Perkembangan dimensi hak asasi manusia (HAM) dan proses dinamika penyusunan hukum hak asasi manusia. Ghalia Indonesia.

Hadjon, P. M. (1987). Perlindungan hukum bagi masyarakat Indonesia. PT Bina Ilmu.

Harper, E. (2019). International law and standards applicable in natural disaster situations. Grasindo.

Hasani, A. A., & Kurniati, P. (2023). Kronologi napi Lapas Blitar meninggal, bermula mengeluhkan sakit gigi. Kompas. https://surabaya.kompas.com/read/2023/09/15/063259278/kronologi-napi-lapas-blitar-meninggal-bermula-mengeluhkan-sakit-gigi?page=all

Ikatan Dokter Indonesia. (2005). Kesehatan dan hak asasi manusia. KDT.

Ismail, N. (2020). Deterioration, drift, distraction, and denial: How the politics of austerity challenges the resilience of prison health governance and delivery in England. Health Policy, 124(12), 1368-1378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.09.004

Khanif, A., Wiratman, H. P., & Wardaya, M. K. (2017). Hak asasi manusia: Dialektika universalisme vs relativisme di Indonesia. LKiS.

Kolaborasi Dosen Perempuan FH Universitas Islam Riau. (2020). Dialektika hukum sang puan. Wade Group.

Krismen, Y. (2021). Sistem peradilan pidana Indonesia. PT Rajagrafindo Persada.

Kusnardi, M., & Ibrahim, H. (1981). Pengantar hukum tata negara Indonesia. Pusat Studi HTN UI Jakarta.

Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Kelas IIB Sampit. (2023). Tim kesehatan Lapas Sampit Kanwil Kemenkumham Kalteng rutin lakukan pengecekan kesehatan. Sistem Informasi Pelayanan Publik Nasional. https://sippn.menpan.go.id/berita/60494/lembaga-pemasyarakatan-kelas-iib-sampit/tim-kesehatan-lapas-sampit-kanwil-kemenkumham-kalteng-rutin-lakukan-pengecekan-kesehatan-wbp.

Lubis, F. (2003). Kesehatan dan hak asasi manusia, perspektif Indonesia. Seminar dan Lokakarya "Kesehatan dan Hak Asasi Manusia", Jakarta, Indonesia.

Maskawati, & Burhanuddin. (2024). Optimizing the fulfillment of prisoners' health rights: A case study at Class IIA correctional facility. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management (IJSRM), 12(12), 585–592. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijsrm/v12i12.lla02

Nasution, A. B., & Zen, A. P. M. (2006). Instrumen internasional pokok hak asasi manusia. Yayasan Obor Indonesia.

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (n.d.). The right to health. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Publications/Factsheet31.pdf

Pratiwi, C. S., & Ramadhan, F. (2023). Hukum hak asasi manusia: Teori dan studi kasus. Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.

Ramaswamy, M., & Freudenberg, N. (2021). Health promotion in jails and prisons: An alternative paradigm for correctional health services. In Public health behind bars: From prisons to communities (pp. 219-238). New York, NY: Springer US. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1807-3_14

Reksodiputro, M. (1993). Sistem peradilan pidana Indonesia (Melihat kepada kejahatan dan penegakan hukum dalam batas-batas toleransi). Pidato pengukuhan penerimaan jabatan Guru Besar Tetap dalam Ilmu Hukum, Fakultas Hukum, Universitas Indonesia.

Reksodiputro, M. (1994). Hak asasi manusia dalam sistem peradilan pidana: Kumpulan karangan buku ketiga. Lembaga Kriminologi UI.

Reksodiputro, M. (1997). Hak asasi manusia dalam sistem peradilan pidana. Pusat Pelayanan Keadilan dan Pengabdian Hukum UI.

Rinaldi, K. (2021). Pembinaan dan pengawasan dalam lembaga pemasyarakatan. Yayasan Cendikia Mulia Mandiri.

Saleh, M. (2022, July 25). Tak tertolong medis, dua napi meninggal di balik jeruji Lapas Klas IIA Lhokseumawe. Modus Aceh. https://modusaceh.co/news/tak-tertolong-medis-dua-napi-meninggal-di-balik-jeruji-lapas-klas-iia-lhokseumawe/index.html

Skinner, G. C., & Farrington, D. P. (2024). Explaining and Reducing the Poor Health of Individuals Who Engage in Criminal Behavior. In Handbook on Contemporary Issues in Health, Crime, and Punishment (pp. 78-99). Routledge.

Soekanto, S. (2012). Pengantar penelitian hukum. UI-Press.

Surianto. (2018). Menata sumber daya warga binaan pemasyarakatan. Eksis Media Grafisindo.

Topatimasang, R., et al. (2005). Sehat itu hak. KDT.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2015). United Nations standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/Nelson_Mandela_Rules-E-ebook.pdf

United Nations. (1966). International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (General Assembly Resolution 2200A [XXI], adopted on 16 December 1966). https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights

Ward, T., Arrigo, B., Barnao, M., Beech, A., Brown, D. A., Cording, J., ... & Taxman, F. (2022). Urgent issues and prospects in correctional rehabilitation practice and research. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 27(2), 103-128. https://doi.org/10.1111/lcrp.12211

World Health Organization. (2014). Prisons and health. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/128603/9789289050593-eng.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y