Daijiworld Media Network – Hyderabad

Hyderabad, May 24: The Chanchalguda Central Prison has launched a unique initiative named 'Feel the Jail', offering ordinary citizens a chance to experience the stark reality of life behind bars.

Under this initiative, visitors can opt to spend 12 or 24 hours in specially designed cells, consuming standard prison meals and adhering to the strict daily routines of inmates. The 24-hour stay is priced at Rs 2,000, while the shorter 12-hour experience costs Rs 1,000.

Telangana governor Shiv Pratap Shukla inaugurated the programme on Tuesday, alongside a new Jail Museum at the State Institute of Correctional Administration (SICA) in Chanchalguda. Calling prisons "centres of reform and transformation," governor Shiv Pratap Shukla emphasized that a progressive society should focus on rehabilitation and second chances, not just punishment.

The newly opened Jail Museum traces the evolution of the penal system from the Nizam era to modern correctional practices. It showcases historical artefacts such as old shackles, while highlighting the stories of notable prisoners like Bhakta Ramadasu and Dasarathi Krishnamacharyulu. The museum also sheds light on prison industries, ongoing rehabilitation programmes, and the inmates' contributions to the construction of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.

Drawing inspiration from the highly popular 'one-day jail experience' at the Sangareddy Heritage Prison Museum, officials stated that the Chanchalguda initiative is designed to be more organized and interactive. The primary aim is to instill awareness about the law, discipline, and the value of freedom, particularly among the youth.

The unconventional concept has already sparked widespread curiosity and gone viral across social media platforms, with many netizens intrigued by the prospect of voluntarily living as an inmate for a day.