Hyderabad, Jan. 12 -- Eighteen prisoners from economically challenged backgrounds were released in 2025, with help from the Centre-funded Support to Poor Prisoners scheme, according to the annual report of the Telangana Prisons Department released on Monday, January 12.

Headed by Director General Dr Soumya Mishra, the Telangana Prisons Department topped in India in the implementation of this scheme, the report said.

Under the Support to Poor Prisoners scheme, inmates from underprivileged backgrounds are eligible to receive financial support from the government for security bonds and bail release.

Moreover, under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana Scheme, which provides accident insurance, a total of 364 prisoners were enrolled, an...