Abstract

Prison rehabilitation plays a crucial role in fostering inmate reintegration into society. This study examines the need for psychological training as a core element in prison rehabilitation in India, highlighting its impact on reducing recidivism and enhancing inmates’ psychological well-being. Utilizing a systematic literature review, this study explores key psychological interventions, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness training, psycho-education, and strength-based training, and their effectiveness in reducing criminal tendencies and improving inmate resilience, self-efficacy, and optimism. The findings reveal that while psychological training significantly improves emotional regulation, social adaptation, and coping mechanisms, its implementation in Indian prisons faces multiple challenges, such as overcrowding, lack of trained professionals, and a punitive rather than rehabilitative correctional approach. The study underscores the necessity of integrating psychological training into existing correctional policies, enhancing staff training, and implementing structured post-release support mechanisms to maximize rehabilitation outcomes. Future research should focus on empirical studies assessing inmate readiness for psychological interventions and longitudinal studies tracking post-release success. The study emphasizes that holistic psychological training programs can contribute to sustainable rehabilitation efforts, ultimately fostering successful reintegration and reducing recidivism rates in India’s prison system.

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