Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Madhya Pradesh Partners With University for Inmate Mental Healthcare
Madhya Pradesh has many people living in its jails who may need help with their mental health.
The state’s prisons already have hospitals and dispensaries for physical illnesses.
However, they have very limited professional mental health support.
There is currently only one psychological counsellor, at Bhopal Central Jail.
The jail department has partnered with Rashtriya Raksha University to improve this situation.
Experts will check inmates to see who needs psychological care.
They will provide support when possible.
People needing more help may be sent to specialised hospitals for psychiatric treatment.
Madhya Pradesh’s jail department signed an MoU with Rashtriya Raksha University to address inmates’ mental health needs.
The program will cover more than 42,000 inmates in prisons and correctional centres across the state.
Existing prison hospitals and dispensaries primarily provide physical healthcare, not mental healthcare.
Only one psychological counsellor currently serves the state’s prisons, at Bhopal Central Jail.
Forensic and clinical psychologists will screen inmates and refer unresolved cases for specialised psychiatric treatment.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh’s jail department and Rashtriya Raksha University, with forensic and clinical psychologists from the university.
- What
- They signed a memorandum of understanding to screen inmates and provide mental healthcare.
- When
- The agreement was announced on Thursday; no specific date was provided.
- Where
- Prisons and correctional centres across Madhya Pradesh, including Bhopal Central Jail.
- Why
- To identify and address mental health issues among approximately 42,000 inmates, which existing prison healthcare facilities largely do not cover.
- Inmates covered
- Around 42,000-plus inmates across Madhya Pradesh prisons and correctional centres
- Agreement
- Memorandum of understanding between the jail department and Rashtriya Raksha University
- Current counselling capacity
- One psychological counsellor, based at Bhopal Central Jail
- Existing facilities
- In-house hospitals and dispensaries mainly serving physical healthcare needs
- Mental-health barracks
- Nineteen barracks house severely mentally challenged inmates
- Screening plan
- Forensic and clinical psychologists will conduct psychological screening of inmates
- Possible referrals
- Inmates whose issues do not improve may be referred to specialised psychiatric hospitals