Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 3)

By Dalem Tehang

MY MIND suddenly floated. How my wife and kids are tonight. 

“No need to worry at home. The important thing is that they know where you are. They will get used to it too. Don't keep thinking. They will also keep thinking of you. So heavy for you, for them too. Relax,” said Joko again. It was like coming into what I was daydreaming.   

“Thanks for the suggestion yes, Joko. How long have you been here,” I said. Switching conversations.

“I've been here two months. Devolving next week. Further detention in rutan. Until the court's finished. When I came in here, the first two weeks, my mind was always at home. To the wife and children. Until I got sick at that time. The head of this room here used to be named Andre. He is the one who advised me to make a thought to the house. Let's all calm down. Apparently real. My wife and children if you make a cheerful look, I am also healthy and easy to live life here,” continued Joko. I listened seriously. 

My eyes are looking down at the bottom. This holding room consists of the lower and upper floors. The lower floor measures 1.5 meters, and the top 2.5 meters. Extending 8 meters. Cheesy ceramic and broke here and there.

“That's below that the new one came in. Those four guys just came in here yesterday. You are lucky, can immediately sleep on gini,” explained Joko. I understand the question that comes from my eyes.

“Why am I directly told to sleep on top?” my many.

“That's the room head's business. The name is room captain, the call is hood. He's the one who sent it all in this room. If anyone disputes his decision, he will be massacred. Ask him later, why you are immediately given a bed up here,” said Joko while looking at Edi, the captain of the room.

I see, Edi is busy filling out crossword puzzles. Sometimes his eyes looked up. To the front and back corners. I'm shifting my eyes. Following Edi's eye movements.

“Edi the monitor cctv, Mario. There are two cctv's in this room. In the front and back corners. We are all monitored from the guard post. If you want to drift, squat only at the wc, just do not monitor cctv,” said Joko. Again he read what I was learning.

“Continue why does he bathe cctv continuously?” my many. Curious.

“Later you also know. Just relax. You just came in. Not to mention two hours. There are many life stories you can find here. Enjoy it yes. You solat nope?” joko said lightly.

“Iya, pray. But this malem has not prayed Isya,” I replied.

“Asnawi, pinjemi Mario sarong. Let him pray,” Joko said as she stood up. 

The man called Asnawi woke up. He slept in the middle of the eight people upstairs.

Opened a crackle bag that had previously been his pillow. Sheets and small prayer mats.           

I went to the bathroom. Piles of dirty clothes scattered. The others were immersed in three buckets. Stinging smell. Apek to bacin. Graze. The floor is slippery. Plus the smell of pessies. Unclean splashes of urine watered.  

Slowly, I picked up the dipper that was almost split open and dirty mossy. The water also smells bad. I almost threw up. With ablution intent, I affirm the attitude. 

I prayed Isya in my bed. Not wearing the small prayer mat that Asnawi had lent. Can't stand the musty smell. I made my shirt a prayer mat.

I just fell down, suddenly heard a loud bang on the cell door.

“Ngangin, ngangin! Come, where the hood of the room,” a loud sound makes the already sleeping, awakened. 

I saw Edi get up from his place. He approached the iron bars. Giving money Rp 50,000. In a matter of seconds, the cell door was opened.

“Come all out. Enjoy the moonlight,” invite Edi while looking at all 10 room residents.

I sit. Lean to the wall that the paint has peeled off. Until it looks like the brick. Joko who is on my left is still lying down. 

“You're out there, Mario. If you don't know, a chance to get out of the room. Hanging out in front,” said Joko remained lying down.

“Why didn't you come out?” my many.

Suddenly a uniformed guard came into the room. 

“Why is this not coming out? Already given the opportunity to breathe air outside, even do not want. Come out,” he said in a high tone.

Joko spontaneously stood up. I followed. The officer looked at me sharply.

“You just entered earlier huh?” ask her.

“Iya, sir!” my answer. Briefest.

The 45-year-old officer looked at me seriously. From head to toe. Time and time again. 

“Ya is there. Join the others. You need to know, here are your own rules. Prison is the world in the world, so follow it. Or you become moons,” said the officer as he continued to look at me without blinking.

I just nodded my head. Noiseless. The officer turned back. Leaving me and Joko moving out of the cell room. 

Joko asked me to sit down in the corner. The terrace of the 2.5-meter prisoner complex extends. And along the morning's passage it was crowded by hapless prisoners. According to Joko, the number is around 180 people.

“And only 10 rooms, cook the contents up to 180 people, Joko?” my spoken.

“Our room with the least content right now, Mario. A week ago our room had 15 people. The other rooms are on average 18 people today,” he said.

I got carried away thinking, how such a small cell filled up to 18 people. 

“The one in the drug cell even has 20 people, Mario. There are four special drug cells. You see the room on the left. The bright. It's a temporary detention site for drugs. Usually, they are sent here if there is an overflow of cases. So replace the cell here,” explained Joko.

My eyes looked at the three-story building Joko had pointed to. Alongside the prisoner complex. Upstairs is bright. 

Suddenly I heard a noise. The prisoners ran down, scrambling into his cell again.

“What's up, Joko?” my many. Shocked.

“There is provos here, let's go in,” he said as he pulled my hand. 

After sitting back in my place, I asked Joko again.

“What if there is provos?”

“Danger if until provos know we don't handle. The guard could be punished. We must have done it too,” said Joko.

“Lha, didn't you just give me money? It hasn't been 30 minutes outside,” I said.

“It's a new piece of living art in a cell, Mario,” Joko said. Smirking.

“What does it mean?” ask again.

“Inget said the guard officer earlier right; prison is the world in the world. So don't be surprised, and don't talk about lifestyle in the outside world,” Joko continued with a smile.  

I just nod my head. I don't know what made me shake my head. Because actually, often the nod is meaningless. (connected)