LUCKNOW, Sept. 15 -- Uttar Pradesh has launched a statewide programme to identify inmates at risk of suicide or severe emotional distress. Under the RISE (Reduce Inmate Suicide and Emotional Distress) initiative, prison staff will be trained to recognise behavioural warning signs and coordinate with counsellors for timely intervention.

The programme was launched at the prison headquarters on Monday, bringing together jail superintendents, jailers and deputy jailers from all 75 prisons.

Under the programme, prison staff who interact with inmates daily will play a key role in identifying signs such as withdrawal, unusual behaviour and other warning indicators. Suspected inmates will be referred to counsellors for assessment and appropriat...