Prison officials in Odisha established the prisoner reformation skills programme and hired mental health specialists in response to an increase in the number of mental health issues among inmates.
Almost 20,000 convicts are held in 87 institutions in Odisha with the intention of reducing depression, developing skills for their livelihoods, and abstaining from crime.
The jails in Odisha are concentrating on the mental health of the convicts as part of the prison reform initiatives to combat rising anxiety and depression. For this reason, the state has appointed 40 mental health specialists.
Inmates in prison frequently experience anxiety and depression. In prison, there are numerous mental health problems. The first state in India where we have engaged 40 mental health specialists to address the issue is Odisha. We are optimistic that doing this will help combat the problems of anxiety and sadness, which will also lessen the number of inmate suicides. Odisha’s DG of prisons and DCS, Manoj Kumar Chhabra.
He added that the campaign for mental wellness is also ongoing for the jail employees.
“The staff members that work in the prison experience a lot of stress. Also, the experts are teaching students how to manage stress and function in the jail setting, the speaker continued.
One of the many initiatives made by the Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services in Odisha is mental health. For the detainees, the authorities have introduced many professional sessions. The Amulya Jeevan Foundation is working with us to conduct the sessions.
“We began as a trial project called ‘Mukta Vihangam’ within the Special Prison in Bhubaneswar. There we have a theatre, music, dance, and art room for the prisoners, as well as a community radio station called Azaad Vaani, more than 6000 songs, a library-cum-skill development room well-stocked with 1900 books, and more. The prison’s prisoners get a lot of leisure time. The cramped conditions frequently cause depression. They are now having the opportunity to learn here. They have a chance to find work and reintegrate into society, according to the project’s director, Sweta Kanungo.
Moreover, training in hair and aesthetic skills is provided for female convicts. In addition to other continuing programmes inside the institution, several programmes are offered.
“We discovered that the young convicts are more interested in skills like radio jockey, beauty salon, horticulture, arts, computer and mobile fixing than in traditional skills like clothing making, plumbing, farming, etc. As a result, we have launched a number of similar initiatives inside the prison, said Dr. Chhabra.
The detainees are being trained by seasoned radio jockeys. The detainees who are awaiting trial have also praised the change.
One of the inmates from Jaipur, Rajasthan RJ Abhishek who is staying in special jail for almost 5 years sharing his thoughts about jail reforms and skills told ANI, “Generally we heard the negative picture of jail on TV or cinema, where the prisons do such work as digging ditches and breaking up rocks, but it’s totally different I saw four to five jails in other states but in Bhubaneswar no feelings of jail for me it’s like a boys hostel. Here, you can see how the prison has changed with time and with technology.
He added that people had the impression that inmates were only unskilled labourers. But, with to technological advancements, they are now receiving training in fields like fishery, radio hosting, art, computers, etc “Added RJ Abhishek.
According to RJ Niranjan, an inmate who works for Azad Vaani Radio, the stress level of prisoners has decreased as a result of their frequent presentation of inspirational tales.
A good transformation is taking place in our life. We feel comfortable leaving and finding employment as RJs and voice actors. Prison has the connotation of being a place of punishment. But now that we know, it’s a reformatory. We may examine our actions and the atrocities we have committed, and improve our lives “RJ Niranjan stated.
20 convicts of the Bhubaneswar Special Jail are now receiving radio jockey training.
The inmates of this jail organised a special radio show that will be broadcast on August 15 and informed the administration.
Prasanta Patnaik