BLITAR – Prison extortion case in Blitar has drawn serious attention after three corruption inmates at Class IIB Blitar Prison reported illegal charges collected by prison officers for access to a “special cell.”

Each inmate reportedly paid Rp 60 million after officers promised them placement in Block D1. This room is considered more comfortable than regular prison cells.

The case surfaced during an inmate aspiration session on Thursday (April 23). The session happened shortly after the new prison head, Iswandi, started working at the prison.

Iswandi said the complaints came during a prison exercise session combined with an open forum for inmates to share concerns.

“At that time, three corruption inmates revealed complaints about illegal levies. They said they experienced this when they first entered prison at the end of 2025,” he said on Monday (April 28).

After receiving the complaints, prison officials immediately questioned the inmates. They also prepared official investigation reports to clarify the full chronology of the alleged extortion.

The prison then sent the report to the East Java Regional Office of Corrections. The regional office quickly sent an investigation team to examine the case.

“The regional office team has arrived and carried out intensive examinations,” Iswandi said.

Authorities have now transferred two security officers and the prison’s head of security to the East Java regional office for further questioning.

Early findings pointed to two officers. However, investigators also questioned the head of security because he may have known about or joined the illegal collection scheme.

“The inmates who were extorted each paid Rp 60 million. Based on their statements, family members made direct payments to the officers,” he explained.

Investigators believe the officers used promises of access to Block D1 to collect the money.

Block D1 sits next to the prison mosque and offers more flexibility than regular prison blocks. The room can hold up to 10 people and allows inmates to rest until after the evening Isya prayer.

The prison originally reserved the room for inmates who regularly joined worship activities.

“And it turns out that some security officers used that room for illegal levies,” Iswandi said.

He added that the inmates decided to speak up after seeing other prisoners enter Block D1 without paying any money.

They felt unfairly treated because they had spent large amounts only to receive what others could access freely.

“In Blitar Prison, there is actually no luxury cell. Only Block D1 allows inmates to stay longer for worship activities until Isya prayer,” he said.

Blitar Prison is still waiting for the final results of the East Java regional office investigation into the three officers linked to the alleged extortion.

As the new prison head, Iswandi said he is committed to removing extortion practices and other criminal activities inside the prison, including drug abuse and violence.

The three corruption inmates still remain in Block D1 because of their old age. Their condition makes relocation difficult.

Officials have not yet decided what will happen to the money already paid. They are still waiting for the regional office’s final examination.

“During questioning, the inmates said their families handled the payments. Some paid in cash, while others used bank transfers,” Iswandi concluded.