Narcotics Death Row Inmates in the Transition to the National Criminal Code: A Dignified Justice Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59261/jlsp.v4i5.298Keywords:
Correctional Institutions, Death Penalty, Narcotics JusticeAbstract
Background: Narcotics offenses are treated as extraordinary and organized crimes in Indonesia, while the continued use of the death penalty raises legal and humanitarian concerns for inmates who remain in correctional institutions awaiting execution.
Objective: This study examines the legal position and treatment of death row inmates convicted of narcotics offenses under Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code from the perspective of dignified justice.
Methods: A normative-empirical legal approach was employed by combining an analysis of legislation and legal literature with interviews involving the Rehabilitation Division of the Class I Tangerang Correctional Institution and two death row inmates convicted of narcotics offenses. The empirical component was limited to one correctional institution and involved two death row inmates as interview participants.
Results: The new Criminal Code repositions the death penalty as an alternative punishment and provides a ten-year probationary period; however, the absence of detailed procedures for commutation and assessment criteria creates legal uncertainty. Field findings also indicate prolonged psychological pressure among inmates, while correctional outreach, rehabilitation activities, religious and work programs, and psychological evaluations support humane treatment and behavioral assessment.
Conclusion: The principle of lex favor reo should guide the transitional application of the new Criminal Code, supported by clear commutation procedures and coordinated, measurable assessments to ensure legal certainty and dignified justice.
References
Asfadila, S., Deliana HZ, E., & Diana, L. (2024). TINJAUAN YURIDIS FENOMENA DERET TUNGGU TERPIDANA MATI BERDASARKAN HUKUM HAK ASASI MANUSIA INTERNASIONAL. JURNAL HUKUM DAS SOLLEN, 10(1), 141–161. https://doi.org/10.32520/das-sollen.v10i1.3373
Budianto, A., & Piliang, A. M. (2022). PEMBAHARUAN HUKUM TERHADAP KEBIJAKAN PENGELOLAAN LEMBAGA PEMASYARAKATAN [Law Restoration and Policy Management of Correctional Institutions]. Law Review, 21(3), 389. https://doi.org/10.19166/lr.v0i3.4773
Daud, M. B. (2026). Penerapan Asas Lex Favor Reo terhadap Putusan Berkekuatan Hukum Tetap: (Kajian atas Kontroversi Pasal 3 Ayat (7) KUHP Nasional). Al-Zayn?: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial & Hukum, 4(2).
Flora, H. S., Disantara, F. P., & Thuong, M. T. H. (2023). The Lex Favor Reo Principle After New Criminal Code: A Corrective Justice’s Perspective. Pena Justisia: Media Komunikasi Dan Kajian Hukum, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.31941/pj.v22i2.2997
Humas BNN. (2026a). Dari data ke aksi: BNN perkuat strategi penanggulangan narkoba berbasis riset kompeherensif. Retrieved April 2, 2026, from https://bnn.go.id/dari-data-ke-aksi-bnn-perkuat-strategi-penanggulangan-narkoba-berbasis-riset-komprehensif/
Humas BNN. (2026b). Wamenkumham: Narkotika sebagai kejahatan yang unik dan extra ordinary crime. Retrieved April 2, 2026, from https://bnn.go.id/wamenkumham-narkotika-sebagai-kejahatan-unik-extra-ordinary/
Karo Karo, R. (2025). RUU KEPOLISIAN: TELAAH TERHADAP PERLINDUNGAN POLISI WANITA PERSPEKTIF TEORI KEADILAN BERMARTABAT. Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Kepolisian Dan Anti Korupsi, 2(2), 87–100. https://doi.org/10.31599/hs1x5931
Kennedy, A. (2024). Hak Asasi Manusia Dan Keadilan Bermartabat: Perbandingan Teori dan Realitas di Indonesia. EJPP: Ekasakti Jurnal Penelitian & Pengabdian, 4(1).
Mahmud, A. (2021). Problema Pidana Mati Terhadap Pelaku Tindak Pidana Narkotika Dalam Sistem Hukum Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan, 51(2). https://doi.org/10.21143/jhp.vol51.no2.1055
Padang, M. P., Siregar, B. J., & Rosmalinda. (2024). Keberpihakan Pemidanaan Dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 2023. Locus: Jurnal Konsep Ilmu Hukum, 4(2).
Pambudi, P., & Redi, A. (2024). Criminal Law Politics and Reform to Strengthen Law Enforcement Roles in Indonesia in Combatting Narcotics Crimes. Asian Journal of Social and Humanities, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.59888/ajosh.v3i3.473
Pusiknas Bareskrim Polri. (2026). Peringatan keras: Narkoba, kejahatan terbesar kedua di Indonesia. Retrieved April 2, 2026, from https://pusiknas.polri.go.id/detail_artikel/peringatan_keras:_narkoba,_kejahatan_terbesar_kedua_di_indonesia
Republic of Indonesia. (2022). Law No. 22 of 2022 on Corrections.
Republic of Indonesia. (2023). Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.Literature Review, 373–385. https://doi.org/10.56128/ljoalr.v1i7.90
Siregar, R. E. (2022). Kepastian Hukum Masa Tunggu Eksekusi Pidana Mati. Locus Journal of Academic
Sudanto, A. (2017). Penerapan Hukum Pidana Narkotika Di Indonesia. ADIL: Jurnal Hukum, 8(1), 137–161. https://doi.org/10.33476/ajl.v8i1.457
Sumampoaw, N. (2024). Inventarisasi dan analisis instrumen asesmen sebagai pertimbangan mekanisme perubahan hukuman bagi terpidana mati.
Sumardin, S Osgar, M., & Lestiawati, I. (2019). Tinjauan Yuridis Penyalahgunaan Narkotika Di Dalam Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (Lapas) Oleh Narapidana Yang Telah Divonis Hukuman Mati. Jurnal Kolaboratif Sains, 2(1).
Vukusic, I. (2019). Crime and global justice: the dynamics of international punishment. Politics, Religion & Ideology, 20(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/21567689.2019.1698830
Yudhoyono, G. E., & Soponyono, E. (2024). Jurisprudence for Resolving Crimes of Narcotics Abuse by Children in Indonesia. Jurnal Jurisprudence. https://doi.org/10.23917/jurisprudence.v14i1.4289
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Pietro Grassio Eko Yulio, Agus Budianto, Teguh Prasetyo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
