The Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FH UGM), through its Legal Consultation and Aid Center (Pusat Konsultasi dan Bantuan Hukum/PKBH), conducted a legal awareness program for inmates at the Sleman Class IIB Correctional Facility on Friday, September 18, 2026. The program constitutes one of PKBH FH UGM’s community service initiatives as part of the university’s commitment to fulfilling the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. It also reflects FH UGM’s contribution to expanding public access to legal knowledge and awareness.
The legal awareness program commenced at 9:00 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) and was held in the main hall of the Sleman Class IIB Correctional Facility. The program was attended by 25 inmates with diverse stages of legal proceedings, ranging from those who had only recently entered the trial process to those whose verdicts were scheduled to be delivered in the near future. Two FH UGM faculty members served as speakers, each presenting a different topic. Sri Wiyanti Eddyono, S.H., LL.M.(HR), Ph.D., delivered a session entitled “Detainees’ Rights to Legal Assistance under Law No. 22 of 2022 on Corrections,” while Dr. Wahyu Yun Santoso, S.H., M.Hum., LL.M., presented “Understanding Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE) Crime Methods and the Proper Use of Social Media.” Both sessions were delivered in an interactive manner, emphasizing practical knowledge relevant to the participants’ circumstances.
The session on legal assistance was particularly relevant to the participants, who were at different stages of legal proceedings. Most participants had already received legal representation in their respective cases, either through privately funded legal counsel or through legal aid services. The program therefore provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of their right to legal assistance, as well as their legal status and rights throughout the judicial process.
The program was also attended by Khosim Nur Zaman, S.Tr.Pas., Head of the Registration and Community Guidance Subsection at the Sleman Class IIB Correctional Facility. In his remarks, Khosim emphasized the facility’s ongoing efforts to fulfill the rights of inmates through its correctional programs. One such effort is the provision of educational books as part of the fulfillment of inmates’ right to education.
The participants demonstrated strong enthusiasm throughout the program, particularly during the discussion sessions with the speakers. In addition to listening to the presentations, the inmates actively raised questions and engaged in discussions concerning legal issues relevant to their circumstances. The interaction demonstrated how legal awareness programs can serve as a space for dialogue, enabling inmates to strengthen their legal understanding while also expressing their needs and concerns.
Through this program, PKBH FH UGM hopes to strengthen inmates’ understanding of their rights throughout the legal process and their period of incarceration. Such understanding is expected to foster greater legal awareness and enable inmates to recognize and exercise their rights appropriately. Ultimately, the program is expected to contribute to the development of a more inclusive, peaceful, and legally aware society.
The legal awareness program at the Sleman Class IIB Correctional Facility also aligns with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education. By providing direct legal education, the program contributes to expanding access to inclusive, equitable, and quality education for inmates. The program also supports SDG 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by promoting legal awareness and understanding among inmates. Greater legal understanding is expected to support the fulfillment of rights, broaden knowledge of access to justice, and contribute to the development of a peaceful and inclusive society. These efforts form part of the contribution of higher education institutions to strengthening legal awareness and access to justice within the community. The collaborative nature of the program also reflects the spirit of SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. Through collaboration between FH UGM and the Sleman Class IIB Correctional Facility, the partnership between higher education institutions and correctional institutions can continue to be developed to expand the benefits of legal education and community service. This collaboration underscores the importance of sustained institutional partnerships in advancing accessible and meaningful legal education for the community.
Author: Rysma Nathania (PKBH FH UGM)
