Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Jul 19: Anyone interested in getting first-hand experience of stay in a jail will get an opportunity to do so shortly if a proposal submitted by the prisons department of Kerala is accepted. The prison experience will be provided to tourists and members of the general public who are willing to pay for a day's stay inside the four walls of a jail.

During the stay inside the prison, the people will have to wear uniforms meant for prisoners and consume food provided by jail authorities which will be the same that is supplied to other prison inmates.

Already such a facility is available in Telangana where people who are willing to pay a certain amount can spend a day inside a prison pertaining to colonial era. This tourism initiative will soon enter Kerala. The prisons department here has submitted a proposal to the government, seeking to allow people to spend 24 hours inside the prison by paying prescribed fee.

The prison authorities have planned to start this project as part of a unique jail museum being setup at Viyyur central prison in Thrissur district. Once the prison opens for tourists and others, people who pay the price will be able to spend a day just like normal prisoners. Kerala director general of police (prisons), R Srilekha, said that this proposal is a part of the jail museum project.

The Telangana government has been offering this facility for the tourists to stay for an entire day in the 220 year-old heritage Sangareddy prison. Those who pay Rs 500 would also be able to find out the way the prisoners were treated during the British era there in addition to staying there and consuming food offered by authorities.