A prison in Shanghai has launched a project helping inmates adapt to society before they finish serving their sentence. People may take it for granted that inmates look forward to being free, but prison officers say many feel anxious as the days wind down. ICS reporter Yuan Chenyue spoke with officers in Shanghai Wujiaochang Prison to learn how counselling helps inmates.

"Shout out to get rid of all the unhappy things! Louder! It's okay."

Within the mental care centre in Wujiaochang Prison, this psychological venting room allows inmates to shout out things bothering them in order to release pressure.

The mental health centre offers much counselling helps to range from sandbox to music therapy.

Zhang had been sentenced to one year and two months in jail for fraud and has only one week left to serve. He said he has felt a little anxious the past month. Officers suggested he undergo counselling.

MR. ZHANG INMATE, SHANGHAI WUJIAOCHANG PRISON "When I first came to prison, I was quite nervous but I soon adapted to life here. My release day is coming closer, and I have been worried about getting a job and family relations. I feel there are many challenges."

After several counselling sessions, Zhang said he felt better.

MR. ZHANG INMATE, SHANGHAI WUJIAOCHANG PRISON "The class for making wooden handcrafts has also been helpful. I gradually felt a sense of fulfilment as I'd made something with my efforts. When making one, I need to consider every aspect of it. The officer then told me it's just like the challenges I will face when I get out. As long as I keep trying, I can finally solve them."

LU SHANZHANG, COUNSELOR SHANGHAI WUJIAOCHANG PRISON "We wear casual clothing when counselling instead of an officer's uniform. The counselling build up trust for prisoners. We can slowly learn what they are thinking about and help them solve their problems."

YUAN CHENYUE SHANGHAI "Police say prisoners will be given a psychological evaluation when they first enter Wujiaochang Prison. Counseling will be given to those who need it. Nearly 20% of the prison's officers are certified counselors."

Xu Dong, director of mental health counseling in Wujiaochang Prison, says about 20% of inmates who are soon to be freed experience varying degrees of mental health issues in the last three months. They may become less communicative, suffer from insomnia, anxiety or confrontational with others. Xu says most of these behaviors are caused by the fear of facing the outside world after having been in prison for so long.

XU DONG, DIRECTOR SHANGHAI WUJIAOCHANG PRISON "If the issues are not properly handled, some develop self-mutilation or will even harm others upon their release. Effective mental health counseling also helps reduce the re-offending rate. We also launch group counseling for inmates so they realize they are not alone, and they will become more confident when sharing stories with others."

MR. XI INMATE, SHANGHAI WUJIAOCHANG "My family feels I have changed. When they came to see me before, I didn't even want to talk to them. But the counselors asked me to get rid of the idea that I would be abandoned and told me I still need to face my family in the future. After working through this, I feel relieved."

Xu says 60 officers who are certified counselors work in the prison on a daily basis. And they have regular training sessions at colleges like Fudan University.