Rehabilitation model blends skill building with emotional, psychological healing

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Prison Ministry at the Berhampore Central Correctional Home in India has been a lifeline for hundreds of inmates, offering vocational training, counseling, legal aid and after-care support.

The ministry operates on the principle that every life, no matter how broken, holds promise. Under the leadership of Father T.L. Francis, it caters to a diverse prison population with a comprehensive rehabilitation model, blending skill building with emotional and psychological healing.

Salesians offer courses in motor mechanics, driving, electrical work, computer literacy and tailoring so that inmates gain practical skills to support a new start after release. Activities like sports, music, and games help restore a sense of normalcy and community. Salesians have a particular focus on women inmates who receive sewing machines and financial assistance to rebuild their lives with dignity.

A Salesian explained, “The mission doesn’t stop at prison walls. The Don Bosco Prison Ministry after-care initiatives provide former inmates with continued support — emotionally, socially, and economically — helping to prevent reoffending and reintegrate them into mainstream society.”

The Salesian noted, “We face the challenge of upgrading vocational tools and technology, vital to keeping programs relevant in today’s fast-changing job market. Another growing concern is the increasing number of young offenders entering correctional facilities. The ministry has issued a clarion call to the wider Salesian community and civil society to collaborate in proactive, preventive interventions that can steer vulnerable youth away from the path of crime.”

The ministry is living testament to the Salesian mission of supporting youth, especially those at risk. As India moves toward a more restorative justice model, the Don Bosco Prison Ministry stands as a pioneering force.

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Sources:

Photos courtesy of Don Bosco South Asia

ANS – India – Don Bosco Prison Ministry: Restoring Dignity and Hope Behind Bars

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India