HP Prison Department launches initiative to support psychological wellbeing of inmates

The Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services has launched 'Unmesh – Jab Man Khilta Hai' programme, aimed to support the psychological and emotional well-being of the inmates.

Under this programme, retired Professor (Psychology) Dr Sunil Sharma will provide counselling services to the inmates. The programme has been launched in Model Central Jail, Kanda, Shimla district.

The programme will run for about three months and will soon be held in rest of the prisons in the state.

Along with this, another initiative named 'Waste Under Arrest' has also been launched in collaboration with Waste Warriors, aiming to promote environmental awareness and sustainability among inmates. Under this programme, workshops will be organised on waste management and creating useful products from waste materials.

The programmes were launched during the visit of Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to Kanda jail during which he interacted with the inmates.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Prisons, Abhishek Trivedi briefed the Governor about the department’s activities, rehabilitation initiatives, and reform programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that inmates in prisons had been engaged in various tasks under the "Har Hath Ko Kaam" initiative and the goods prepared by them are being sold through the HimKaara store. He commended that 40 per cent of the profits are being given to inmates as wages.

He said that inmates were being trained in various tasks at the correctional home so that when they leave prison, they could become self-reliant, able to care for their families and provide employment to others by starting start-ups.

"The biggest criminal in society is the drug addict as those who consume drugs punish themselves and others for life. Accepting drugs in one's life and giving others is also a crime," he said.