Odisha prisons shifting focus from mere jail to humane reform: DG Susanta Nath

Odisha’s prison system is shifting its focus from mere confinement to humane reform, informed Director General (DG) of Prisons Susanta Kumar Nath, highlighting rising mental health concerns among inmates. The DG also outlined new initiatives like yoga, counselling, and vocational units to promote rehabilitation while maintaining security, on Wednesday.

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“The significance and main aim of prisons is to keep criminals (inmates) in the correctional facilities in a better way, to protect their human rights, and to take them on the path of reformation. More than 18,000 inmates are currently lodged in 84 different jails across the State and it is a huge task to administer them,” Odisha Prisons DG Nath expressed while speaking to mediapersons.

“This is because different types of issues come up and challenges are faced every day with regard to their fooding, health, and keeping them properly in lock up. Around 976 inmates in Odisha are psychiatric patients. The mental conditions of those who are lodged in jails usually remain low. This figure is even more than the psychiatric patients kept in the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP)-Ranchi,” the Prisons DG stated.

“Handling the mentally retarded inmates in jails is another big challenge. Apart from them, several other inmates have psychological issues. Those who are convicted often develop psychological issues in them. Hence, it is important how to provide them with proper counselling. In order to tackle the typical situation, we have started several innovative measures during the past six months,” Prisons DG Nath asserted.

“We have already introduced compulsory and daily yoga sessions for the inmates. At least 80 percent of the inmates are participating in yoga. Around 106 yoga trainers and 35 counsellors have been engaged in different jails for this purpose,” the Prisons DG said.

“We have also sent a proposal to the State government for de-addiction centres for inmates as several addicted people too are lodged in jails. They often behave violently in the jails, which needs utmost attention, de-addiction and proper counselling,” the DG added.

To keep the prisoners engaged, micro industrial units have been started by the authorities, such as candle, LED bulb, incense stick (agarbatti), and paper plate making etc, he added.
Notably, in 2024, as many as 12 persons escaped from different jails in Odisha. Similarly, in 2025, six inmates had escaped from the correctional facilities, of which two have been nabbed again. One fugitive has died in the meantime, and the manhunt is still on for three others who are currently on the run. 

About 73 prisoners have been identified so far, who were temporarily sent out on furlough and had not returned to jail since 2000. In the meantime, at least 15 of them have already been recaptured by the Odisha Police.