Telangana Prisons wins SKOCH Award for de-addiction initiative
Award, recognising the department’s rehabilitation-oriented approach to substance dependence among prisoners, was presented at the 109th SKOCH Summit — India Economic Forum at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi
The Telangana Prisons and Correctional Services Department has been awarded the SKOCH Award–2026 for its NIVRUTTI de-addiction centres initiative. This program screened 4,200 inmates across five prisons for substance-use concerns, with 2,126 receiving WHO-ASSIST screening, counselling, and treatment. Post-release, 300 prisoners were followed up.
The initiative, backed by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, aims to provide drug-demand reduction, treatment, and rehabilitation to prisoners. The NIVRUTTI centres, established at five key locations, combine identification, screening, counselling, treatment, behavioural support, and rehabilitation, with a focus on ensuring continuity of care after release and assisting reintegration into society.
The programme's impact was studied by APCA, Vellore, and presented at the International Research in Corrections Conference–2026 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
