Telangana prisons wins SKOCH Award 2026

Metro India News | New Delhi

Telangana Prisons and Correctional Services department has won the prestigious SKOCH Award - 2026 for its innovative NIVRUTTI De-Addiction centres initiative aimed at treating substance-use disorders among prisoners.

The award was presented at the 109th SKOCH Summit-India Economic Forum at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on Saturday. Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Dr. Soumya Mishra received the award from SKOCH Law Offices founder Rohan Kochhar and SKOCH Group Chairman Sameer Kochhar. Deputy Inspector General of Prisons M Sampath was also present.

NIVRUTTI centres have been established at Central Prisons Hyderabad, Cherlapalli, Sangareddy and Nizamabad, besides the Special prison for women, Hyderabad. The programme provides screening, scientific de-addiction treatment, counselling, behavioural support, rehabilitation and post-release follow-up. So far, 4,200 inmates have been screened, while 2,126 underwent WHO-ASSIST screening and received counselling and treatment support. Another 300 released prisoners were followed up after their release.

Implemented with support under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the initiative seeks to extend rehabilitation beyond incarceration and support successful social reintegration. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) is a component of NAPDDR focused on awareness generation, demand reduction, identification of persons affected by substance use, and strengthening linkages with counselling and treatment services. An impact study by APCA, Vellore, was also presented at the International research in corrections conference - 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Dr. Soumya Mishra said the award recognises the dedicated efforts of Telangana Prisons personnel in strengthening correction, rehabilitation and social reintegration, reaffirming the department’s vision of "Custody with Care" and "Transforming Lives".