The Telangana Prisons Department has launched a ‘sentence planning’ initiative aimed at bringing a structured and reform-oriented approach to incarceration across the state. The move, seen as a pivot from punishment to rehabilitation, was inaugurated at the State Institute of Correctional Administration (SICA) Conference Hall on Friday.Director-General (DG) of Prisons and Correctional Services Soumya Mishra called sentence planning a ‘comprehensive and personalised strategy’ that goes beyond managing prison time. “It’s a tool for rehabilitating prisoners and preparing them for reintegration into society,” said the DG.The programme will begin with in-depth assessments of inmates to identify their risks, needs, and rehabilitation requirements. Based on this, prison authorities will design tailor-made interventions which may include education, vocational training, psychological counselling, and even behavioural therapy. “Every inmate has a unique background, whether it’s trauma, substance abuse, or a lack of education. Sentence planning gives us a framework to address these issues head-on,” said DG Mishra.Prison officers from across the state, including Deputy Superintendents, Superintendents, and senior officials such as Inspector Generals Y. Rajesh and N. Murali Babu, and DIGs D. Srinivas (Hyderabad Range) and M. Sampath (Warangal Range), took part in the meeting and discussions. The event also placed emphasis on inter-departmental collaboration, accountability, and the importance of empathy in correctional work.Published - May 31, 2025 09:26 pm IST