Life Inside Kerobokan (2017)
The documentary “Life Inside Kerobokan”, directed by an Australian news crew and released in 2017, offers an unprecedented glimpse into the notorious Indonesian prison, Kerobokan Jail. Situated in stark contrast to the idyllic tourist destination of Bali, Kerobokan is infamous for its harsh conditions and the notoriety of its inmates.
For the first time, a film crew was granted full access to Kerobokan jail, which sits in the heart of Bali’s tourist mecca. The documentary, produced by ABC Australia, delves into the lives of five prisoners who call the space inside these walls their home. Let’s meet some of them:
- Matthew Norman: At 18, Matthew from Sydney’s Quakers Hill was the youngest member of the Bali Nine. He was promised $15,000 to act as a drug mule but ended up with a life sentence, which in Indonesia truly means life. Now 30, he has spent over 12 years in Kerobokan jail. The film captures his struggle and the prison governor’s efforts to seek clemency for him,
- David Fox: A British journalist and former Reuters correspondent, David was sentenced to seven months in prison for possessing just over nine grams of hashish. He is one of the 6% of foreign prisoners in Kerobokan. Despite the prison’s grim reputation, David believes it’s not as bad as it seems. His perspective sheds light on the reality behind the bars.
- Heru Saputra: Raised in Bali, Heru serves an 18-month sentence after being caught using methamphetamine. He leads an overcrowded cell block, where twice as many inmates are crammed in as the facility was designed to hold. Heru’s acceptance of the situation reflects the resilience of those living within these walls.
The Foreign Correspondent team spent a week roaming the jail, filming, and interviewing prisoners and guards to capture life inside Kerobokan. Through their lens, we witness the struggles, hopes, and resilience of those confined within this complex web of concrete and iron bars.
The documentary provides a sobering look at the human stories behind the prison walls, revealing the complexities of justice, survival, and redemption in a place where life sentences are more than just words
