Telangana Prisons Launches Psychotherapy Program for Women Inmates

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 6 November 2026

The Telangana Prisons Department has introduced the Phyllis and Krystal Method Psychotherapy Program at the Special Prison for Women in Hyderabad to strengthen mental health support and rehabilitation services for women inmates.

Dr. Soumya Mishra, IPS, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Telangana, formally inaugurated the program, marking a step towards improving psychological care and well-being among women prisoners.

“Telangana prisons department launched a psychotherapy program for women Inmates in Initiative aims to strengthen mental health, emotional wellbeing and psychological resilience among women prisoners,” Soumya Mishra said.

The initiative is intended to alleviate women inmates of emotional issues, control stress and anxiety, and build their positive thinking and psychological resilience, she explained.

Soumya Mishra stressed on the importance of mental health to be the same as physical health. The stress, anxiety, sadness and other psychological issues that may occur when separated from family members and loved ones during imprisonment were noted.

Key Highlights:

• Telangana Prisons Department launches a psychotherapy program for women inmates
• The initiative focuses on mental health, emotional well-being and psychological resilience
• Women inmates receive vocational training to promote self-reliance and rehabilitation

Therapy would give inmates the chance to learn about their feelings, know how to manage stress, have a positive attitude and build self-confidence, she said.

Encouraging the inmates to actively participate in the sessions, she reminded them that their past does not define their future and that everyone deserves an opportunity to learn, transform and make a fresh beginning in life.

Devas Unlimited founders, Shaguna Sinha and Shivani Sinha Sola facilitated the program. Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Dr.D.Srinivas also attended the program.

It is yet another step towards building a humane, compassionate and reformative correctional system in Telangana with emphasis on improving the mental health, transformation and successful reintegration of inmates into society, she added.

The Telangana Prisons Department has also undertaken several mental health initiatives as part of its correctional programs. According to its annual report, 936 prisoners received cognitive behavioral therapy under the Unnathi program, while 624 women inmates underwent individual and group counseling at the Special Prison for Women, Hyderabad, with support from Bhumika Women’s Collective.

Additionally, 60 inmates from nine prisons participated in a psychotherapy Training of Trainers program facilitated by Devas Unlimited. Alongside psychological support, the department has focused on education, vocational training and rehabilitation to prepare inmates for life after imprisonment.

In 2025, 100 women inmates at the Special Prison for Women received tailoring-based self-employment training under the SANKALP Scheme, implemented in collaboration with the National Academy of Construction (NAC).