The Role of Social Work in Corrections to Address Prison Overcrowding Following the Enactment of the New Criminal Code: Peran Kerja Sosial Dalam Pemasyarakatan untuk Mengatasi Masalah Overcapacity Penjara Pasca-Pemberlakuan KUHP Terbaru

Muhammad Qaedi Rifqi Nuranda (Politeknik Pengayoman Indonesia)

Jurnal Hukum dan Konstitusi
Vol. 1 No. 3 (2025): JIC : Jurnal Hukum dan Konstitusi

Overcrowding in Indonesia’s correctional facilities has become a significant issue following the implementation of the latest Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP). The increasing number of inmates has led to a decline in the quality of corrections and heightened the risk of ineffective rehabilitation. This study aims to explore the role of community service in addressing prison overcrowding, considering the policy changes under the new KUHP. A qualitative approach was employed, analyzing correctional policies and the application of community service in Indonesia. Data was collected through interviews with correctional facility representatives and legal analysts. The results show that community service can be an effective alternative punishment for low-risk offenders. Implementing community service helps reduce the inmate population and offers better opportunities for social rehabilitation. Furthermore, community service facilitates the reintegration of inmates into society post-sentence. In conclusion, community service can be an efficient solution for alleviating prison overcrowding, improving correctional quality, and supporting the reforms of the Indonesian legal system under the new KUHP.