Pathways to Prison

doi:10.1017/9781009513555.011

6 - Pathways to Prison

Economic, Personal, and Relational Motivations for Drug Offending in Indonesia

from Part II - People on Death Row

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 August 2025

Carolyn Hoyle and

Edited by

Mai Sato and

Wing-Cheong Chan: Affiliation:
Singapore Management University
Mai Sato: Affiliation:
Birkbeck, University of London
Michael Hor: Affiliation:
The University of Hong Kong

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Summary

Although there is a substantial body of research addressing the economic motivations for drug crime, fewer studies have also considered the social influences that shape individuals’ involvement in the illicit drug economy. This chapter will draw on interviews conducted in prisons in Indonesia with people convicted of drug offences. Analysis suggests that many offenders do have economic motivations for entry into the drug trade. However, personal and relational motivations for drug use and drug trading must not be ignored, given that most of our participants were not in absolute poverty when they decided to offend. Moreover, in making decisions about participation in the drug trade, they were clearly influenced by trusted peer groups. The chapter presents this empirical data within the context of increasingly punitive penalties for drug offences in Southeast Asia, including the judicial execution of drug traffickers.

Keywords

motivations for drug crime risk deterrence rational choice theory punishment socioeconomic conditions Indonesia death penalty

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Type: Chapter
Information: Capital Drug Laws in Asia , pp. 135 - 164

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009513555.011 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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