THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government's decision to create the post of Clinical Psychologist in Central Jails and Counselors in prisons with up to 250 inmates is a relief to the Department of Prisons.

In December, Kerala Kaumudi reported that despite the increase in suicides and suicidal tendencies in prisons, the services of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists were not being provided on demand. Following this, an action was initiated.

The post of clinical psychologist will be created in Thiruvananthapuram, Viyyur and Kannur central jails and the post of counsellor will be set up in prisons up to 250 inmates to help them cope with mental stress. The situation in the women's prison is not clear.