Behind Bars and Beyond: Navigating Reintegration Roadblocks and Evaluating Policy Frameworks for Released Prisoners in India

This review dissects the reintegration landscape of prisoners in India, revealing social stigma, limited employment opportunities, and fragmented family support as formidable roadblocks. Navigating effective prisoner reintegration transcends opening prison doors, but explores dismantling societal chains. This study analyzes how societal biases, economic barriers, and strained relationships can significantly hinder reintegration efforts. It questions obstacles posed by current policy frameworks while prescribing a path forward. Through conducting a coherent policy analysis and evaluating best global practices, this review identifies prime areas of development. This review recommends initiatives to enforce a robust reintegration ecosystem in India through the inclusion of bolstering existing schemes with increased funding and implementation, bridging the skills gap through vocational training, forging stronger community connections through support groups, and prioritizing mental health services to former offenders to reduce recidivism. This review intends to pave the way for a future where prison becomes a transformative pause, not a permanent sentence. Key Words: Prisoner Rights, Rehabilitation, Recidivism