PRISONS in Indonesia are remarkable places. Built to hold people convicted of crimes, many actually lead comfortable lives behind bars, with all the amenities of a normal lifestyle. Take, for example, the cell occupied by Artalyta Suryani alias Ayin at the Pondok Bambu Penitentiary in Jakarta.

There, Ayin lives as if she were outside the prison. She has a private office, where she chairs meetings and receives visitors until late at night. She ha