ITANAGAR : A one-day stakeholder consultation on “Drugs, HIV and Prison Health Responses” was held at District Jail Jully on Friday to discuss prison health, substance abuse prevention, HIV response and inmate rehabilitation.
The programme was jointly organised by the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), the Recovery Wellness Society and the Srimanta Foundation for Culture & Society.
The consultation brought together prison officials, inmates, faculty members of CDOE, and representatives of the organising organisations to promote awareness on prison health, correctional reforms and public health interventions aimed at addressing substance abuse and HIV transmission.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme “Building a New Life,” former Assam Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta encouraged inmates to embrace hope, discipline and resilience while preparing for life after release. Stressing that everyone deserves a second chance, he urged them to become responsible citizens and contribute positively to society.
Addressing the gathering, Arunachal Pradesh Inspector General of Prisons Tojo Karga highlighted the state’s efforts towards correctional reforms and inmate welfare. He urged inmates to use their period of incarceration for self-reflection, personal growth and behavioural change, adding that moderation in life is essential to avoid adverse consequences. He also said the prison has earned recognition as one of the best correctional facilities in the region and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to providing a safe and reformative environment.
Earlier, CDOE Assistant Professor Kiri Taso welcomed the participants and resource persons.
During the first technical session, Recovery Wellness Society founder and project head Anupam Rohit spoke on “Understanding Substance Abuse: Causes, Consequences, Recovery and Hope.” Drawing on his experience in addiction recovery, he said lasting recovery requires determination, self-discipline and a willingness to rebuild one’s life. He also emphasised that positive thinking and disciplined living are essential for successful reintegration into society.
An educational documentary titled “Myths and Truths About Substance Abuse” was also screened to create awareness on addiction, treatment and recovery.
The second technical session was conducted by Srimanta Foundation for Culture & Society trustee Dipankar Mahanta, who spoke on “Yoga, Spirituality and Inner Well-being.” He highlighted the role of yoga, meditation and spiritual practices in improving physical and mental health, emotional resilience and overall well-being, and encouraged inmates to adopt these practices in their daily lives.
The programme concluded with an interactive session during which inmates shared their experiences and sought guidance on rehabilitation, addiction recovery and reintegration into society.
CDOE Assistant Professor-cum-Coordinator Moyir Riba proposed the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to the prison administration, resource persons and participants for contributing to the success of the programme.
One inmate, responding to a discussion on strengthening de-addiction initiatives in prisons, remarked, “It is not about what we want, or even what we need, but whether we are ready to work with what we have.”
