Mental health remains a largely neglected issue in India’s prison system, which is already struggling with overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and chronic understaffing. While mental well-being is gaining attention in public health discussions, the psychological needs of inmates are often overlooked. This issue has become a silent emergency, with thousands of prisoners enduring severe mental distress without access to basic mental health services.
Research by Raghavan and Rabiya (2018) highlights the alarming prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Indian prisoners, including schizophrenia, depression, adjustment disorders, and substance use issues. One study cited in their review found that nearly 8% of autopsies of deceased prisoners identified suicide as the cause of death. This statistic underscores the severe mental health crisis within Indian jails, where untreated psychological issues often go unnoticed.
Despite these findings, the issue of mental health in prisons has received minimal systemic attention. From 2000 to 2017, only 12 studies focused on prison mental health in India, revealing a critical gap in both knowledge and policy action. Without reliable data, there is no sense of urgency, and without urgency, change remains elusive.
The mental health challenges faced by incarcerated individuals are not just the result of pre-existing conditions. The prison environment itself exacerbates these issues. Overcrowding, physical and emotional violence, lack of privacy, and uncertainty about legal outcomes all contribute to psychological distress. Undertrial prisoners, who make up more than two-thirds of India’s prison population, are particularly vulnerable, often spending years awaiting trials that may never happen.
Despite the legal framework provided by the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017, mental health services in prisons are woefully inadequate. The Act mandates that all prison medical officers be trained in mental healthcare and that every state establish at least one prison with a dedicated mental health facility. However, the reality is far from this ideal. According to the India Justice Report 2025, there are only 25 psychologists or psychiatrists serving the 1,330 prisons across the country, equating to one mental health professional for every 22,929 prisoners. This ratio is far from the Model Prison Manual, 2016, which recommends one professional for every 500 inmates.
More concerning is that 25 states and Union Territories lack any psychologists or psychiatrists on prison staff. Although some token appointments are made, there is little evidence of consistent or institutionalized efforts to integrate mental health care into the correctional system. This disparity between policy and practice highlights a major gap in the system’s response to mental health needs.
A study by Bansal and Motiyani (2025) emphasizes the disconnect between policy and practice, pointing out that underfunding and a shortage of trained professionals worsen the crisis. Even when mental health experts are available, they are often impeded by insufficient staffing, lack of support systems, and inadequate facilities for treating prisoners with severe mental health issues.
Despite these challenges, a few initiatives have shown promise. Practices like Vipassana meditation, introduced in Tihar Jail, and Sudarshan Kriya Yoga have positively impacted prisoners’ emotional well-being. However, these remain isolated experiments, not standardized procedures. While beneficial, these spiritual practices cannot replace professional psychiatric care, especially for inmates requiring clinical treatment.
A recurring issue in prison mental health studies is that inmates with low emotional intelligence and poor coping mechanisms are particularly vulnerable to psychological breakdowns. The lack of trained counselors or social workers to identify and assist such inmates only exacerbates the situation. Without targeted therapy or rehabilitation programs, many prisoners remain trapped in cycles of trauma, anger, and hopelessness.
Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive overhaul of the prison system, not just temporary solutions. Full-time psychiatric units must be established in prisons, especially large central jails. Prison staff should also be trained in mental health first aid to identify early signs of distress and de-escalate potential crises. Additionally, strong referral systems should be put in place to connect inmates with nearby mental health institutions for specialized care.
Equally important is the introduction of routine psychological assessments for all inmates—at entry, during incarceration, and prior to release. Mental health care must continue after prisoners are released, linking them with public hospitals or civil society organizations to aid their reintegration and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
The legal frameworks necessary to address this crisis already exist. From the Mental Healthcare Act to the Model Prison Manual, the language of care is clear. However, the implementation of these mandates has been lackluster, with minimal measurable improvements on the ground.
Why does this matter? A criminal justice system that ignores the mental health of those it incarcerates fails in both its rehabilitative and constitutional duties. This neglect not only violates inmates’ right to health but also undermines the possibility of reform and reintegration for individuals who have already been deprived of their freedom.
If we truly believe in the dignity of prisoners as human beings, the mental health crisis within India’s prisons must be addressed with the urgency and seriousness it deserves. It is time for policymakers, prison administrators, mental health professionals, and civil society to collaborate and create a system that prioritizes healing, not just punishment.
Ultimately, how we treat our most vulnerable—especially those behind bars—reflects the moral compass of our society. Currently, that compass points in the wrong direction.
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