ITANAGAR, Jul 3: A one-day stakeholder consultation on ‘Drugs, HIV, and Prison Health Responses - Discussing Welfare Initiatives and Reforms for Inmates to Address Public Health Challenges of Substance Abuse and HIV Transmission’, jointly organized by the Rajiv Gandhi University’s Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), Recovery Wellness Society (RWS), and Srimanta Foundation for Culture & Society (SFCS), was conducted at the District Jail, Jully here today.
The consultation served as an important platform for promoting awareness on prison health, substance abuse prevention, HIV responses, rehabilitation, and the overall welfare of inmates. It reflected a shared commitment among academic institutions, civil society organisations, and prison authorities to strengthen correctional reforms through education, counselling, and public health interventions.
The programme witnessed the active participation of officials from the District Jail, Jully, prison inmates, resource persons from the RWS and the SFCS, along with faculty members and staff of the CDOE, RGU.
The keynote address was delivered by former Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta on the theme ‘Building a New Life’. He inspired participants to embrace hope, compassion, discipline, and resilience while preparing for life after release. Stressing that every individual deserves a second chance, he encouraged inmates to become responsible citizens who contribute positively to their families, communities, and the nation through constructive actions and ethical conduct.
In his words of advice, Tojo Karga, IGP (Prisons), GoAP, briefed guests and participants on the current status of correctional administration in the State, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to inmate welfare and prison reform. He urged inmates to use their period of incarceration as an opportunity for self-reflection, personal growth, and behavioural change.
Emphasising the importance of moderation, the IGP reminded the audience that excess in any form often leads to adverse consequences. Furthermore, he noted that the facility has been recognised as one of the best in the region, stressing his team’s ongoing efforts to foster a safe, conducive, and reformative environment.
Earlier, Dr Kiri Taso, Assistant Professor, CDOE (RGU), delivered the welcome address.
In the first technical session, Anupam Rohit, Founder and Project Head RWS, spoke on the topic ‘Understanding Substance Abuse: Causes, Consequences, Recovery and Hope’. He encouraged inmates to believe in their capacity for positive change and highlighted that rehabilitation begins with an individual's willingness to rebuild life with purpose and responsibility.
As part of the awareness initiative, the organisers screened an educational documentary titled ‘Myths and Truths About Substance Abuse’, which addressed common misconceptions surrounding addiction and highlighted scientific facts regarding prevention, treatment, and recovery.
The second technical session was conducted by Dipankar Mahanta, Trustee SF CS, on “Yoga, Spirituality and Inner Well-being (Part I & II).” He explained the therapeutic value of yoga, meditation, and spiritual practices in promoting physical fitness, mental stability, emotional resilience, social harmony, and spiritual growth. He encouraged inmates to incorporate these practices into their daily routines as effective tools for stress management, emotional healing, and personal transformation.
The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which inmates actively engaged with the speakers by sharing their experiences and seeking guidance on rehabilitation, addiction recovery, and reintegration into society.
Moyir Riba, Assistant Professor-cum-Coordinator, CDOE (RGU), acknowledged the enthusiastic participation, discipline, and attentiveness of the inmates, whose active engagement contributed significantly to the success of the programme.
The success of the consultative workshop was highlighted by the enthusiastic participation of the inmates. Each session was designed to facilitate two-way communication, creating an open environment for inmates to share their thoughts and suggestions.