The Madhya Pradesh Jail Department has launched a new and compassionate initiative to alleviate anger, stress, and depression among prisoners confined within the four walls of jails. It is often observed that inmates behind bars remain mentally distressed. To address this issue, the department has started a special training program focused on managing the mental health of inmates. In the coming days, ‘Psycho Social Counselling Centres’ will be opened inside different jails of the state to help inmates.

 

Under the supervision of Director General (Jail) Dr Varun Kapoor, this seven-day course is being conducted at the Regional Institutional of Jail Management and Research in Bhopal. The National Raksha University (RRU) of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, is assisting in this effort, aimed at identifying and providing initial treatment for prisoners’ mental stress right inside the jail. Preparing to keep minds healthy alongside bodies: Speaking during the program, Director General of Jail Dr Varun Kapoor stated that looking after the health of imprisoned inmates is the department’s biggest responsibility.

 

He explained that until now, full attention was given to treating the physical illnesses of prisoners in jails, but now a scientific system is being developed to keep their minds and behaviour completely healthy as well. Dr Kapoor emphasised that until prisoners are mentally healthy, neither can their behaviour be improved, nor can they be brought back into the mainstream of society after their release. Guards staying with prisoners to turn counsellors themselves: The most unique aspect of this training is the inclusion of 30 employees drawn from different jails across the state, including jail guards and paramedical staff who remain with the prisoners round-the-clock. After completing this seven-day course, these employees will return to their respective jails to become catalysts for a major change. These employees will immediately identify inmates who are going through any mental distress or depression.

 

Following this, they will maintain their scientific records, provide them initial counselling, and administer primary treatment before referring them to senior doctors if needed. Separate counselling centres to open in jails: This arrangement will not be limited only to training; it will be expanded further in the times ahead. Director General Dr Varun Kapoor informed that in the coming days, ‘Psycho Social Counselling Centres’ will be opened inside different jails of the state. Apart from this, to keep this work running continuously, a ‘Master Trainer Program’ will also be conducted in collaboration with the National Raksha University, for which an agreement (MoU) is going to be signed between both institutions soon.