Inside 'Indonesian Alcatraz' where inmates are executed by firing squad as British man faces death penalty
Nusa Kambangan Island - also known as 'Indonesian Alcatraz' - is home to over 1,500 inmates.
A British man, named Thomas Parker, could be facing the death penalty after being arrested on suspicion of dealing ecstasy in the country.
The Brit was arrested outside his holiday villa in Bali earlier this year, having already been under police monitoring after entering Indonesia from Thailand.
Police believe he is part of an international drug ring operating out of Hungary and started tracking his movements, claiming that he acted suspiciously as he received a package of MDMA that was delivered to him on 21 January.
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"After conducting a search and arrest, Thomas and the evidence were taken to the Bali Province National Narcotics Agency office for investigation," Brigadier General Rudy Ahmad Sudrajat, from the Bali Province National Narcotics Agency said.
"He was ordered by his boss to pick up a package in Bali after flying from Thailand.
"The parcel contained MDMA which is illegal and punishable by death."
The powder from the package was publicly tested and identified as just over a kilogram MDMA at a press conference, with it then being burned in an incinerator.
In Indonesia, possessing fewer than five grams of MDMA can land you with a jail sentence of between five and 15 years, while for over five grams the death penalty may be imposed.
If Parker is found guilty, he could be sentenced to death, which could be carried out by firing squad.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the island is notorious for its execution sites, which sees prisoners taken to an isolation cell before being led chained to nearby jungle areas.
It is here that they are reportedly tied to a post and shot by firing squad.
Indonesian law dictates that inmates must be told when their execution will take place at least 72 hours before.
According to The Straits Times, a former executioner explained that the firing squad is made up of highly trained shooters.
The prisoners are blindfolded and given the option of sitting, standing or kneeling.
Shooters fire simultaneously and if the inmate is not killed instantly, they may be told to fire at the head.
Prior to execution, the conditions in the Lapas Narkotika cells - for inmates on drug charges - seem pretty grim.
According to Prison-insider, there's barely any windows, lack of nutritious food and reports of prisoners sleeping without blankets.
"Unlike in other prisons where there is decent lighting, the cells in Lapas Narkotika have small windows that do not provide much light," reads the report.
"Prisoners sentenced to death confirm that in most cases the cells have a bed mattress, although not of good quality.
"Some prisoners in Lapas Narkotika reported that they were not given a blanket.
"Prisoners sentenced to death also have a limited number of clothes as there is not enough storage space for them."
Topics: Crime, World News, Drugs, News
Lucy Devine