Rest assured! You won't be going in as a real prisoner for committing a crime or so. This initiative is a part of the Jail Tourism Project undertaken by the Tihar Jail authorities.
About Tihar Jail
What does the experience offer
If you've ever fantasized about this, then the experience will actually offer tourists to wear the uniform of a prisoner, sleep on the floor, rise early, indulge in the daily chores, take part in activities like yoga and, best of all, your mobile phones or other electronic devices will be taken away from you for the day for security reasons.The food offered to tourists will be cooked by the prisoners. Whether the tourists will be able to interact with the inmates is still unknown. The superintendents have also recommended getting a "phaansi kothi" (a room for hanging) made in the complex that will add to the features of the jail. Naturally, this move would draw a larger footfall of tourists.
Tourists will not be treated as tourists. They too will be bound to follow the regulations of the jail and follow the rules that the inmates have been following. This will ensure that the tourists "don't feel the stay as pleasure" said a superintendent.
More about the Tour
There will be a complex where the tourists will be allowed. Sources have said that a review was done for the complex meant for visitors. They further revealed a few details of the same. Sources said "The feedback by superintendent-rank officers emphasized that visitors could be kept with inmates of semi-open and open prisons. Also, the proper uniform of the jail must be provided to the visitors and s/he should be kept away from mobile phones and other special facilities."Tight security and regular supervision will be ensured in the complex. Sources also revealed that "Only selected inmates (convicted) will be allowed to live in this complex with the visitors. These prisoners will be shortlisted based on their behaviour while they are lodged in jail. It is important for visitors to share the same premises with these inmates so that they can interact with them, listen to their stories."
Sandeep Goel, DG (Prisons) informed Mail Today that jail authorities have received several requests to visit the jail beforehand. "Even foreigners want to stay in Tihar for a live experience of Indian jails. The wish will soon be fulfilled," he said.
Telangana Offers a Similar Experience
A jail in Telangana, Sangareddy Prison, a 220-year-old heritage jail nearly 70 km from Hyderabad International Airport also offers a similar experience. Foreign tourists fly down to India to head here. It threw open its doors for tourists under the State Government Tourist Drive, charging a minimum of INR 500 per day.Cost
Prior reports suggest that the cost per day would be INR 500 to spend a day in Tihar. But the amount still remains uncertain because of the initiation of this upgraded plan to offer tourists a closer-to-reality experience instead of just spending a day in isolated areas. The rumoured cost is suggested to be INR 2000.Are you looking forward to experiencing a day in Tihar Jail? Let us know in the comments below!
