The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Sensitising jail warders to plight of inmates

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Saturday, May 16, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Sensitising jail warders to plight of inmates

Early identification of problem and timely corrective measures are necessary, says
R. Rajaram

Photo: R.Ashok

ADVICE: K. Ramakrishnan, consultant psychiatrist, addressing prison personnel in Tiruchi.

Early identification of inmates suffering from mental problems such as depression, anxiety and stress and providing timely corrective measures in the form of counselling and drug treatment, if required, would help in transforming their lives within the prison and after they walk out of the jail.

It is the prison personnel who could actually understand the mental health status of the inmates given their accessibility to the jail and their interaction with prisoners from time to time.

So, a programme initiated by the prison authorities for the Jail Warders of the Central Prison recently to enlighten and sensitise them to ways to identify mental health status of prisoners besides finding out those afflicted with mental problems and help them was a positive step in this direction. Besides over 100 Jail Warders, Chief Head Warders, Assistant Jailors, Deputy Jailors and a Jailor attended the programme.

The Central Prison here accommodates over 2,000 prisoners comprising under-trials, remand prisoners and convicts serving lengthy terms. Tackling such a huge strength requires lot of deftness on the part of the Jail Warders.

The Jail Warders were exposed to a various aspects connected with mental health by psychiatrists K. Ramakrishnan and M. Rajaram during the programme organised by the Prison authorities, Athma Mental Health Centre and Indian Red Cross Society.

Starting the session with mental illness, its types, causes and symptoms, the medical experts covered a wide variety of aspects including depression and mania besides offering tips to the participants on the ways to identify the mental health status of the inmates and ways to distinguish between normal prisoner and those showing abnormal behaviour.

Being in a depressed state and stressed condition for longer duration could lead to interpersonal problems for the affected inmate who could show violent behaviour, the participants were informed.

Since jail was a place for reformation, the importance of adopting a positive approach towards the inmates was stressed as it would enable the Jail Warders ascertain the problems of the prisoners. The warders were told about the ways to offer counselling to those prisoners addicted to alcohol and help them in getting over withdrawal symptoms besides first aid management.

Prison authorities say they had been organising yoga and meditation classes for the inmates to improve their physical and mental make up besides helping them in getting over negative thoughts and depression.

Prisoners especially convicts are engaged in vocational trades to help them spend time productively. This enables them to get wages, says the Superintendent of Prison A. Murugesan.

The authorities have planned to organise a similar programme in the second phase for those Jail Warders who were left out in the first phase, said Mr. Murugesan.

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