Prison officers from eight States certified as PRAHARI Master Trainers

Eight serving prison officers from eight major states have been certified as Master Trainers under Project PRAHARI, a national initiative designed to train staff in recognizing and responding to mental distress among inmates.

The certification followed a three-day residential Training of Trainers (ToT) on correctional mental health at the Lavad Campus of Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Held from October 21 to 23, it was the second cohort of the programme. PRAHARI stands for Psychological Risk Assessment, Health Awareness and Resilience Initiative.

The participants, ranging from Assistant Jailors to Superintendents, were nominated by the prison administrations of Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. The ranks represented were Superintendent, Additional Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Jailor and Assistant Jailor.

The course was organised by Global Correctional Administration Studies (GCAS) of the university’s School of Behavioural Sciences and Forensic Investigations (SBSFI). Participants went through seven modules covering the foundations of correctional mental health and the PRAHARI framework; recognising psychological disorders in custody, including addiction; behavioural warning signs and suicide risk; trauma-informed crisis communication and de-escalation; prevention, documentation and referral pathways; stigma and help-seeking; and officer wellbeing and resilience.

Aligning with a 2023 advisory from the National Human Rights Commission, the PRAHARI model positions correctional staff as vital gatekeepers. Through specialised training, these officers are equipped to screen, observe, and identify inmates vulnerable to psychological distress, suicidal behaviour, and substance dependence, ensuring timely referrals for professional care.

Each of the newly certified Master Trainers will now train correctional staff in their own State, extending the cascade begun by Cohort 1, in which officers from 12 States were certified in September. The third cohort is scheduled from November 18 to 20.