LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The celebration of Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW at the Class III Kotapinang Correctional Facility was far more than a religious ceremony. The facility's management and staff used the occasion to encourage inmates to recognize their responsibilities, reflect on their life journeys, strengthen their faith, and reorganize their lives before returning to society.
Held in a dignified atmosphere on Friday, September 4, 2026, the event brought together staff members of the Class III
Kotapinang Correctional Facility and
inmates. Ustaz Ahmad Faisal, S.Pd., delivered a religious address highlighting the exemplary role of Prophet Muhammad SAW in everyday life.
The message conveyed during the event was not limited to encouraging greater religious observance, but also focused on changes in attitudes and behavior. Patience, honesty, compassion, concern for others, responsibility, and mutual respect were emphasized as core values that inmates should apply in their daily lives throughout their rehabilitation process.
The Prophet's Example as an Inspiration for Change
The Head of the Class III Kotapinang Correctional Facility, Haris Damanik, S.H., M.H., emphasized that the Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW celebration should serve as an opportunity for inmates to engage in self-reflection and personal change.
According to him, the life and character of Prophet Muhammad SAW can serve as an inspiration for all
inmates to build better lives. The values derived from his example should not remain merely as messages delivered during a religious gathering, but should be put into practice in everyday life.
"The Maulid Nabi celebration should be a moment for all inmates to strengthen their faith, improve themselves, and take the character of Prophet Muhammad SAW as an example for their own lives," was the message conveyed during the event.
This message is closely connected to the objectives of
rehabilitation within the correctional system. Serving a prison sentence is not merely about fulfilling a legal obligation, but also provides
inmates with an opportunity to reflect on their past, recognize their mistakes, and develop a firm determination to lead better lives in the future.
Through religious activities, the correctional facility seeks to provide a space for reflection that can help inmates view their rehabilitation process from a broader perspective. They are expected not only to manage their daily lives within the correctional facility, but also to prepare for personal changes that can serve as a foundation for returning to their families and social environment.
MUHAMMAD AS AN EXAMPLE: Head of the Class III
Kotapinang Correctional Facility Haris Damanik emphasizes the importance of taking the character and exemplary conduct of Prophet Muhammad SAW as an inspiration for
inmates in their personal transformation. (PHOTO: Jhon Fitra Sagala)
Religious Guidance Supports Mental and Spiritual Development
From a
rehabilitation perspective, religious activities play an important role in the personal development of
inmates. Chairul Afandi, S.H., Head of the Guidance and Rehabilitation Division at the Class III
Kotapinang Correctional Facility, explained that
religious guidance can provide motivation while strengthening the
inmates' spirituality.
This strengthening is intended to help inmates undergo their rehabilitation process responsibly. At the same time, religious activities help prepare their mental and spiritual condition for the time when they will once again become members of society.
Personal and
religious guidance is an essential part of the
rehabilitation process, because correctional services are not limited solely to the duration of a prison sentence. Behind the walls of the correctional facility, a lengthy process takes place to build awareness, change mindsets, and encourage individuals to distance themselves from negative behaviors.
For this reason, the Class III Kotapinang Correctional Facility continues to use personal and religious guidance as one of the instruments to support inmates' transformation. This approach is intended to help them find new motivation and shape their lives in a more positive direction in the future.
The
Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW celebration provided another space for these values to be conveyed directly. The example of Prophet Muhammad in facing various trials in life was presented as a source of strength and guidance for
inmates throughout their
rehabilitation process.
Patience in facing challenges, honesty in everyday life, concern for others, compassion, and a sense of responsibility should not remain merely as themes in a religious address. Instead, these values are expected to become visible in the daily actions and habits of the inmates.
MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL STRENGTHENING: Chairul Afandi, Head of the Guidance and Rehabilitation Division at the Class III
Kotapinang Correctional Facility, advocates stronger
religious guidance to motivate
inmates and support their mental and spiritual development. (PHOTO: Jhon Fitra Sagala)
Preparing Inmates for Their Return to Society
Awareness of the need for personal change is a crucial element of the rehabilitation process. The success of correctional guidance is ultimately measured not only by whether inmates maintain order and discipline during their stay at the facility, but also by how well they are prepared to return to society.
For
inmates, the values conveyed during the
Maulid Nabi celebration can become an important foundation for their continued
rehabilitation and preparation for life after release. They need to be mentally, spiritually, and personally prepared to begin a new chapter of their lives with a greater sense of responsibility.
The event also underscored the commitment of the Class III Kotapinang Correctional Facility to comprehensive rehabilitation. Under the leadership of Haris Damanik, S.H., M.H., the facility focuses not only on security and order, but also places particular attention on personality development and strengthening the inmates' religious orientation.
This approach is intended to create a supportive environment for
rehabilitation and provide
inmates with greater opportunities to initiate changes based on their own convictions. Such changes are an important foundation for life after release, when they return to their families and communities.
Ultimately, the Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW celebration reminded inmates not only of the life and exemplary conduct of Prophet Muhammad, but also conveyed the message that every person has the opportunity to change and improve their life.
Behind the walls of the Class III
Kotapinang Correctional Facility, this message carries particular significance. The
rehabilitation period is not the end of life, but an opportunity to reorganize one's life, improve personal attitudes, strengthen faith, and prepare for a new chapter after returning to society.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR: Fik Sagala