Role of Probation and Parole Officers in Legal Reform in Indonesia: Addressing Overcrowding in Prisons and Detention Centers

Legal reform is crucial in maintaining justice, sustainability, and progress within a nation. In Indonesia, legal reform involves various stakeholders, including probation and parole officers. Probation and parole officers play a pivotal role in shaping a law-abiding society and significantly contribute to implementing a legal system grounded in restorative justice. This research aims to delve deeper into the role of probation and parole officers in legal reform in Indonesia, particularly after the enactment of Law Number 22 of 2022 on Corrections and Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code. The research methodology includes in-depth interviews with probation and parole officers and policy document analysis. The research findings reveal that probation and parole officers strategically bring the law closer to society through educational and rehabilitative approaches. In the context of reducing overcrowding of inmates in prisons and detention centers, probation and parole officers contribute by adopting a humanistic approach. They assist in improving the attitudes and behaviors of inmates through specially designed rehabilitation programs. This approach aims to educate the inmates and prepare them for social reintegration after serving their sentences. Furthermore, the active involvement of probation and parole officers has significant positive impacts, including decreased crime rates, increased legal compliance, and the reinforcement of justice values within society. Therefore, the role of probation and parole officers must be recognized, supported, and strengthened by the government and relevant institutions to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of legal reform in Indonesia.