Hyderabad: Telangana Prisons and Correctional Services has won the SKOCH Award–2026 for its NIVRUTTI centres, which provide de-addiction and rehabilitation support to prisoners. The award recognised the department’s approach to addressing substance dependence through treatment, counselling and continued rehabilitation.
The award was presented at the 109th SKOCH Summit – India Economic Forum at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Dr. Soumya Mishra, IPS, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Telangana, received the award from Rohan Kochhar, Founder of SKOCH Law Offices, and Sameer Kochhar, Chairman of SKOCH Group. M. Sampath, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Telangana, also attended the event.
The NIVRUTTI centres support the Telangana government’s vision of a Drug-Free Telangana. The department implements the initiative with support from the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.
NAPDDR provides a national framework for drug-demand reduction through prevention, awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration. Its Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan component focuses on awareness, demand reduction, early identification and links to counselling and treatment. The NIVRUTTI centres extend these objectives to the prison setting.
The department established the centres at Central Prison Hyderabad, Central Prison Cherlapalli, Central Prison Sangareddy, Central Prison Nizamabad and the Special Prison for Women, Hyderabad. They use screening, counselling, treatment, behavioural support and rehabilitation to address substance-use disorders among prisoners.
The programme also focuses on care after incarceration. Through continued support and follow-up, NIVRUTTI centres seek to help prisoners manage addiction and prepare for their return to society.
So far, officials screened 4,200 inmates for substance-use concerns. Of these, 2,126 inmates underwent WHO-ASSIST screening and received counselling and treatment support. The department also followed up with 300 released prisoners after their release.
NIVRUTTI centres focus on recovery after release
The programme places behavioural change and rehabilitation alongside treatment during incarceration. It aims to help prisoners overcome addiction, rebuild their lives and return to society as responsible and productive citizens.
APCA, Vellore, also conducted an impact study to assess the programme’s effectiveness. The study findings were presented at the International Research in Corrections Conference (IRCC)–2026 in Auckland, New Zealand. The presentation provided an international platform for Telangana’s correctional and rehabilitation approach.
Dr. Soumya Mishra said the SKOCH Award recognised the efforts of officers and staff in strengthening correction, rehabilitation and social reintegration. She said NIVRUTTI gives prisoners an opportunity to overcome addiction, regain confidence and rebuild their lives.
She also stressed the need to continue rehabilitation after release. In particular, she highlighted aftercare and social reintegration as important parts of the recovery process.
Testimonials from inmates also point to the programme’s reported impact. One inmate reportedly postponed his bail to continue treatment, showing a commitment to completing the recovery process. In addition, several inmates sought guidance on education, skills and careers after treatment as they prepared to rebuild their lives.
The recognition highlights the department’s focus on innovative, humane and evidence-based correctional practices. The approach follows its vision of “Custody with Care” and “Transforming Lives.”
Overall, the NIVRUTTI initiative extends de-addiction support beyond treatment inside prisons. It combines recovery, rehabilitation and post-release support while contributing to the broader goal of a drug-free and inclusive society.
