Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a directive to all States and Union Territories (UTs) outlining comprehensive guidelines for implementing de-radicalisation programs and counselling sessions within prisons and correctional institutions. The communication, dated July 1, 2025, emphasizes the escalating challenge of radicalisation in prison settings, identifying it as a precursor to various criminal activities and a threat to public order and internal security. The MHA highlighted that closed prison environments, coupled with social isolation and group dynamics, can foster extreme viewpoints, making vulnerable inmates susceptible to radical narratives.
To counter this, the MHA has advised a multi-pronged approach. Key recommendations include developing standardized screening tools for inmate identification and periodic risk assessments, coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and segregating high-risk inmates from the general prison population. States/UTs are encouraged to establish independent high-security prison complexes or dedicated wings for hardened/radicalised prisoners. The guidelines also stress the importance of targeted de-radicalisation programs, incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy, counselling by mental health professionals, and engagement with religious scholars and social workers. Vocational training, education, and recreational activities are suggested to promote positive identity. Furthermore, the MHA underscored the need for staff sensitisation and training to identify early signs of radicalisation, developing clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), promoting family engagement, and maintaining secure databases for research and policy-making. These measures aim to strengthen institutional mechanisms, rehabilitate prisoners, and reduce extremist influence within correctional facilities.
MOST IMMEDIATE
IMPORTANT
No. V-17013/24/2025-PR
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
****
Women Safety Division, 2- Floor
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
India Gate, New Delhi-110001
July 1, 2025
To
1. The Principal Secretary (Home/Jails) of all States and UTs
2. The DG/IG Prisons of all States and UTs
Subject: De-Radicalisation Programs and Counselling Sessions in Prisons and Correctional Institutions.
Sir/Madam,
Radicalisation in prisons is becoming an increasingly critical challenge in the global context and is often found to be a precursor to several criminal activities. It has therefore, been felt that there is an urgent need to check and counter radicalisation of vulnerable individuals in prison settings and to undertake an exercise for de-radicalisation of such individuals as the same is considered crucial for preserving public order and ensuring internal security.
2. In the context of prisons, radicalisation can be typically dangerous, as prisons are closed spaces where social isolation, group dynamics and lack of oversight can foster extreme points of view. Prisoners can often become vulnerable to radical narratives owing to feelings of alienation, tendency towards violent behaviour, or anti-social attitudes. In some cases, radicalised inmates may engage in acts of violence or orchestrate attacks against prison staff, fellow inmates, or even external targets. It is therefore important to address the issue of radicalisation in prisons for reducing the risks of violent extremism, fostering rehabilitation, ensuring national security, and supporting successful reintegration of prisoners into society.
3. Given the significant role of Prisons in the Criminal Justice System of the country, it has always been the endeavour of the Government of India to share guidance and good practices with the States/ UTs on efficient prison and correctional administration. As part of this endavour, MHA had shared a ‘Model Prison Manual, 2016’ and a ‘Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023’ with all States and UTs for adopting the provisions contained therein in their respective jurisdictions. These model frameworks, inter-alia, provide guidance on classification and separation of high risk prisoners, extremists etc. and setting up of special enclosures, including High Security Prisons, to house such prisoners separately.
4. MHA had written to all States/ UTs on 16.04.2018 and 09.01.2023 for ensuring segregation, surveilance and counselling of hard-core/ radicalised prisoners and to take suitable reformative steps for countering the threat of radicalisation in prisons. It is expected that the State Governments would have taken note of the guidelines provided in the Model Prison Manual, Model Act and the advisories referred to above.
5. In light of the growing concerns about the malady of radicalisation in prisons, the following guidelines are shared with all States/UTs, which they are requested to take note of and apply in their respective jurisdictions for addressing and countering the issue of radicalisation in prisons:
i) Identification & Risk Assessment
States/UTs need to develop standardised screening tools for identification of inmates. These tools can help in assessing the behavioural patterns, associations and ideology-based indicators of all prisoners admitted to Prison Institutions. Individual risk assessments should be periodically conducted both at the time of entry of the prisoner and during his/her period of incarceration at periodic intervals. For this, prison departments may coordinate with the law enforcement and intelligence agency units in the State/UT for identifying inmates who can pose a risk of radical influence to other inmates.
ii) Segregation and Monitoring
High-risk inmates who are inclined towards propagating the ideology of radicalisation should be segregated from the general prison population to minimise the risk of indoctrination. States/ UTs may consider establishing an Independent High Security Prison Complex in their jurisdiction for housing hardened/ radicalised prisoners, terrorists etc. separately with a view to prevent them from influencing other inmates. These inmates should be kept under enhanced surveillance using monitoring tools and intelligence mechanisms to detect and address potential threats and radical networks within the prison. At places where setting up an independent High Security Complex is not feasible, it may be ensured that Prisons develop a separate wing/ block for such hardened criminals so as not to allow the mingling of such prisoners with other/ first time offender prisoners, in particular.
iii) Rehabilitation Programmes
Regular “Targeted De-radicalisation programmes” tailored for individual inmates’ psychological and ideological needs need to be adopted. These may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, counselling by mental health professionals, and engagement with qualified religious scholars and trained social workers on a periodic basis. Inmates may also be engaged in structured activities such as vocational training, formal education, and recreational programmes, which would help redirect their focus and promote a positive sense of identity and purpose.
iv) Staff Sensitisation & Training
Training programmes, such as workshops and simulation exercises, also need to be conducted to help prison staff identify early signs of radicalisation and respond effectively to such situations. In addition, clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) may be developed to guide staff in managing radicalised inmates.
v) Family Engagement
Promoting continued contact between inmates and their family members may contribute to their emotional stability and can act as a moderating influence. States and UTs may therefore, pay attention to this fact.
vi) Data Collection and Research
States/UTs need to maintain a secure database on radicalised individuals to support monitoring, policy-making, and evaluation. Research and documentation of radicalisation trends, inmate profiles, and outcomes of de-radicalisation efforts should be encouraged to enable future strategies and evidence based reforms.
6. The above measures aim at assisting and supporting the States and UTs in strengthening their institutional mechanisms in addressing the issue of radicalisation in prisons. It is expected that with the active involvement of States and UTs, these measures can significantly contribute to rehabilitating prisoners and reducing the influence of extremist ideologies within correctional facilities.
7. States and UTs are requested to incorporate the above guidance in their prison management practices for addressing the issue of radicalisation in prisons in a structured, effective, and proactive manner.
Yours sincerely,
(Arun Sobti)
Director (Prison Reforms)
Tele: 2307 5297
Email: dspr.atc@mha.gov.in
