Bhopal: Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Jail Headquarters, successfully concluded a one-week capacity-building programme under Project PRAHARI (Psychological Risk Assessment, Health Awareness and Resilience Initiative) at the Regional Jail Management & Research Institute, Bhopal.
Organised by the Global Correctional Administration Studies (GCAS) under RRU’s School of Behavioural Sciences and Forensic Investigations (SBSFI), the programme trained 30 correctional staff from prisons across Madhya Pradesh to identify and respond to psychological distress among inmates while strengthening their own mental resilience.
Conducted under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, Vice-Chancellor, RRU, with the support of Dr. Varun Kapoor, IPS, Director General of Prisons, Madhya Pradesh, and the guidance of Dr. Noorin Chaudhary, Director, SBSFI, the initiative focused on improving correctional mental health services and promoting rehabilitation, reintegration and reformation of persons in custody.
Participants received training on identifying depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, substance dependence, behavioural warning signs, trauma-informed crisis communication, de-escalation techniques, suicide prevention, documentation, referral protocols, officer wellbeing and burnout prevention.
The valedictory session was attended by Dr. Varun Kapoor, IPS, Mr. M. R. Patel (DIG, Jail Headquarters), Mr. Manendra Singh Parihar (Jail Superintendent, Central Jail, Bhopal), Mr. Dinesh Imlay (Administrative Officer, RJMRI), Dr. Rakesh Singh Kunwar (Campus Director, RRU Bhopal), Dr. Geetesh Kumar Singh (Project Director, GCAS) and Ms. Mahima Gupta (Clinical Psychologist, SBSFI).
Addressing the participants, Dr. Varun Kapoor emphasised the critical role of correctional staff in recognising early signs of psychological distress, suicide risk and substance dependence among inmates. He said the real success of the programme would be reflected in the practical application of these skills to improve the wellbeing of both prison personnel and persons in custody.
Project PRAHARI aims to build psychologically aware, resilient and safer correctional institutions by equipping prison staff with the knowledge to identify mental health concerns, provide initial support, facilitate timely referrals, prevent suicide and self-harm, reduce stigma and strengthen mental wellbeing across correctional facilities.