Most young first-time offenders, who had committed petty crimes and were imprisoned at Saidapet sub-jail, reported substance abuse and had personality issues, a team of psychiatrists and social workers of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has observed.
In three sessions with the first-time offenders aged 18 to 24 years at the sub-jail, the psychiatrists observed that the majority of them committed crimes under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Some of them had symptoms of depressive disorders.
IMH is one of the stakeholders in PARAVAI (Personality Attitude Reformation Assistance Venture Affirming Identity), a project that aims at rehabilitating young first-time offenders to keep them away from repeating offences in the future. A team comprising a medical officer, clinical psychologist, social worker, art therapist and NGO representatives has paid three visits to the Saidapet sub-jail so far - once in 15 days - interacting with 20 to 25 youngsters each time.
