Telangana Prisons Department Wins SKOCH Award for ‘Nivruthi’

The Telangana Prisons and Correctional Services Department has received the prestigious SKOCH Award-2026 for its ‘Nivruthi’ initiative, under which de-addiction centres have been established in prisons. Director General of Prisons Dr Soumya Mishra received the award from SKOCH representatives Rohan Kochhar and Sameer Kochhar at the 109th SKOCH Summit-India Economic Forum held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The recognition was given for the effective implementation of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction in Telangana prisons.

Under ‘Nivruthi’, the department has focused on early identification of inmates affected by substance use, screening, counselling and linking them with treatment services. De-addiction centres have been established at the central prisons in Hyderabad, Cherlapally, Sangareddy and Nizamabad, as well as the Hyderabad Special Prison for Women. Around 4,200 inmates have been screened, with 2,126 receiving counselling and assistance required for treatment. Support has also been extended to 300 former inmates after their release. Dr Soumya Mishra said the objective of ‘Nivruthi’ is to help inmates overcome addiction, regain confidence and rebuild their lives.