The Optimization of The Role of Correctional Centers Muhammad Arif Agus, Ari Susanto 369 THE OPTIMIZATION OF THE ROLE OF CORRECTIONAL CENTERS IN THE INDONESIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Muhammad Arif Agus*, Ari Susanto* * Kementerian Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia Republik Indonesia, Jakarta Corresponding email: muhamad.arifagus@kemenkumham.go.id Paper received on: 15-07-2020; Revised on: 16-08-2021; Approved to be published on: 01-09-2021 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30641/dejure.2021.V21.369-384 ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to examine and analyze (1) the role of Correctional Centers in the Criminal Justice System in Indonesia; and (2) the Optimization of the Role of Correctional Centers in the Criminal Justice System in Indonesia. The research method used is a normative juridical approach. The results of the research concluded; (1) Correctional Centers in the juvenile criminal justice system and in the adult criminal justice system both have a role, but the role of Correctional Centers in the adult criminal justice system has not been optimized as in the juvenile criminal justice system, and it tends to be discriminatory. (2) The optimization of the role of Correctional Centers in the Criminal Justice System in Indonesia needs to be carried out, because by optimizing the role of Correctional Centers, especially Correctional Research on adult cases, it will eliminate discrimination in treatment between children and adults and Correctional Research can be used as a reference for law enforcers. As a recommendation, it is suggested that in the Criminal Law Reform in Indonesia, both related to the renewal of the Criminal Procedure Law Code (KUHAP); the Criminal Code (KUHP); as well as the Corrections Law, the discrimination in making Correctional Research on juvenile cases and adult cases should be abolished, because it has no value of justice. The equalization of treatment related to Correctional Research will optimize the role of Correctional Research and also other law enforcers in achieving the value of justice in Indonesia. Keywords: optimization; correctional center; system; justice; criminal INTRODUCTION Indonesia is a rule of law, this has been explained in Article 1 Paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) which states “The State of Indonesia is a rule of law”. This is based on the explanation of the 1945 Constitution that the state of Indonesia is based on law (rechtstaat) and is not based on mere power (machstaat). Therefore, the state must not carry out its activities on the basis of mere power, but must be based on law. 1 Article 28D Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia states that: “Everyone has the right to recognition, guarantees, protection and fair legal certainty and equal treatment before the law” 2 . The implementation of the constitutional mandate is realized in the criminal justice system. 1 C.S.T. Kansil, Hukum Tata Negara Republik Indonesia (Jakarta: Bina Aksara, 1986), 81. 2 Indonesia, Undang-Undang Dasar Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945 Setelah Amandemen, 1945. Romli Atmasasmita states that the criminal justice system as a law enforcement contains legal aspect that focuses on the operation of laws and regulations in an effort to tackle crimes and aim to achieve legal certainty. On the other hand, if the definition of the criminal justice system is seen as part of the implementation of social defense related to the goal of realizing public welfare, then the criminal justice system contains social aspect that focuses on expediency 3 . The ultimate goal of the criminal justice system in the long term is to realize the public welfare which is the goal of social policy in the short term, namely reducing the occurrence of crimes and recidivism. If this goal is not achieved then it can be ascertained that the system is not running properly. The criminal justice system is a place to process every form of crime so that it can be tried. Whatever the form, ranging from ordinary crimes 3 Romli Atmasasmita, Sistem Peradilan Pidana Kontemporer (Jakarta: Kencana Prenada Media Group, 2010), 4. Jurnal Penelitian Hukum De Jure Volume 21 Nomor 3, September 2021 P-ISSN: 1410-5632, E-ISSN: 2579-8561 Terakreditasi Nasional No: 10/E/KPT/2019 Karya ini dipublikasikan di bawah lisensi Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License