Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 44)

...By, Dalem Tehang ...

AFTER the Ashar prayer, the door was opened. I was asked to go to room 5. Participate in a briefing by the division of prisoners entrusted aka tahti.  

Mr. Rudy was leading the event. He began by passing the entire head of the room. As soon as he got to room 10, he seemed to be surprised when he heard I was called the head of the room.

“Oh, now pack Mario ya head room 10. Indeed Mr. Edi so the devolvement this morning,” he said. 

An officer explained that this morning there were 12 prisoners who underwent the devolution. Including mr. Edi.

“Wah, congratulations yes, Mr. Mario. I believe, room 10 will be better led by Mr. Mario,” said Mr. Rudy while throwing his trademark smile. Sympathetic.

In the briefing, Mr. Rudy emphasized the importance of all parties to maintain discipline, order, and security of the detention house. The guards are also prohibited from committing violence against prisoners. 

“If any officer commits violence or physical roughness, report it. I don't hesitate to crack it. Conversely, prisoners are also required to comply with existing provisions. For those who violate, of course there are sanctions. About the sanctions how, we will see according to the level of error,” said Mr. Rudy.

Several times he stressed the guards and prisoners had to be compact. Respect, respect, and understand each other's position.

“And I don't want any colonial practices here. We're all the same. Equally human. So we should respect each other. But if anyone does not appreciate, yes must be dealt with firmly,” he continued.

Mr. Rudy explained the need for the addition and improvement of supporting facilities for the needs and comfort of prisoners. Such as the addition of a water suction machine, water tower, room paint repair, and bathroom tub repair. Plus create a garden and a small pond at each corner of the prison complex.

“To further provide comfort for the friends of the prisoners with the plan all, a considerable amount of funds is needed. About Rp 50 million. And of course, because we are both here, yes we support each other for the realization of the program. After we counted, it was decided that each room donated Rp 2.5 million,” said Mr. Rudy.

Hearing the words of Mr. Rudy, I looked at my fellow room heads. Everyone just looked down. I understand the burden that is on their minds. Because each room is required to donate a relatively large amount.

“So just like that. The decision of each room contributed Rp 2.5 million. Without exception. And at the latest Wednesday next week has been handed over to us, for the next start of the work of this program on Thursday to Sunday,” said Mr. Rudy. 

We room heads just nodded our heads. There's no choice. Although the words of Mr. Rudy is not a command let alone emphasis, but we understand if it is an obligation that must be carried out. 

After hearing Mr. Rudy's direction, the briefing was completed. Each of the chamber heads back to his cell. The majority walked while bowing their faces. Due to the weight of the burden of thought and the whirring of feeling. 

As soon as I entered the room, Iyos and Asnawi immediately asked what the contents of the briefing were. I didn't answer. I picked up a towel and a change of clothes. Bathing.

When I came out of the bathroom, I saw all my friends waiting for my story. I'll sign it later after the Maghrib prayer. Because at that time, the voice of teaching from the mosque had been heard. 

Having just finished praying after the Maghriban, the comrades were already waiting quietly in their respective places.

“Later to tell the results of the briefing earlier yes. Don't forget, we can mandate reading yasin and tahlil for the mother-in-law of Pak Agus the guard officer who asked us yesterday. We better get paid first yes,” I said. 

Ijal took the paper out of his pants pocket. Submitted to me. Apparently on the paper was the name of the mother-in-law of Mr. Agus who we will send the study fadhilah tonight. The procession begins. All room dwellers, except Pepen, teach with full kifusu’an. 

After tahlilan, Adzan Isya echoed. We continue with the prayer. While we were still praying, the door to the cell room was opened.

A tamping put in two large plastic bags filled with food. Pepen accepted it.

“Alhamdulillah, we get a blessing. Funny also it turns out dapet besek in the prison,” said Ijal after we prayed.

Apparently, Mr. Agus the prisoner who sent rice boxes for us who asked him to read the tahlilan seven days of the death of his mother-in-law. 

“Create sahur has been sent by Babe's wife. Which we eat right now,” said Ijal. 

That night we were occupants of cell 10 eating rice box delivery Mr. Agus. Thanks to us for reading the tahlil and prayers for her mother-in-law.

“This is if the name is windfall yes. For a long time I have never been fed gini because I took part in the study. This is even in his dapet prison,” said Doni innocently when we had dinner.

“So you have never participated in tahlilan or gini studies, Doni?” tomy Sela. Doni.

“So yes, must have been in your home or neighbor ngadain tahlilan. And usually fit home, given rice made by kayak gini, although the shape is now rice box,” said Aris. 

“When my father and mother died, there was good luck also at home. But I'm sitting outside. The most important to the pilgrims who came to study. If tahlilan in the house of a neighbor or brother, I have never come,” said Doni.

“Why have you never come to know your family or neighbors?” ask Tomy.

“I'm ashamed to come. I can't pay. Just here I just noticed the qur’an reading it,” I Doni, as it is.

“Astaghfirullah. You're late, Doni. Cook read qur’an aja can not. From now on you benefit in real time here to learn najai yes,” said Aris. Doni nodded his head.

“Well, now I want to tell you from the briefing event yes,” said, after we finished eating and the floor of the room has been cleaned by Ijal.

I begin the story of the meeting with the officer held in room 5 with the statements of Mr. Rudy as the commander of the throne for all prisoners. They must be disciplined, obey the rules, and respect each other. Not only fellow prisoners but also the guards.

“And, later many improvements in this prisoner complex. Starting from the water machine plus, water tower is also added, the rooms want to be repainted, the bathroom is replaced, until made a garden and a small pond in all corners of the hallway. Yes let us who are prisoners here become more fresh and comfortable,” uraiku.

“Well, this is new sip. So don't keep our bete here. Room aja kusem kayak gini,” said Ijal, interjecting.

The faces of all the inhabitants of cell 10 looked sumringah. There's a happy hue there. Just imagining a plan can lift their spirits. There is still a better life ahead of him.

“Ke what, Be?” ask Aris. He seemed to understand that behind the joyous improvement plan, something must also be fulfilled.

“So Mr. Rudy said that his team had calculated the costs needed for the plan all. Up to Rp 50 million. Well, we are asked to donate each room for Rp 2.5 million,” I said continuing.

Spontaneously changed the facial expressions of all the occupants of the room. What was originally full of happy hue, became a shock. Some even go pale.

“Wah, great very supportive, Be. This is the name of rent-style repairs together. Not an institution dong. We are in a state-owned detention house, it is only natural to use the government budget,” said Reza. 

“We don't have to use debate. We all know, there must be a budget for it all from the country. But we have to get out, we're prisoners. Prison is the world in the world. Yes, we follow what has been determined. Although it is heavy and big support, want to like where else,” said Aris. Sound's flat.

“Means we each support again dong?” asnawi. I nodded my head.

“Then, break up with Babe as the head of the room. How much we each support,” said Doni.

“We are now 11 people. Minus Ijal means 10 people. We each support Rp 250,000. Match,” I said.

All room residents agreed. I order Iyos to hand over Rp 2.5 million to the appointed guard officer, Mr. Rudy, by using the room cash first. 

“We use room cash first yes. Next week all of our support will be given to Iyos again. So the room cash is not empty,” I said. Affirms. All agreed. (connected)