Telangana jail authorities' 'Feel the Jail' scheme allows tourists to experience jail for a day.
Tourists can now spend a night in a colonial-era jail by paying only Rs 500 under the Telangana government's new 'Feel the Jail' scheme.
Under its new program, tourists can rent a cell in the 220-year-old Sangareddy jail and experience how life was for an inmate in colonial times. Those who opt for the "Feel the Jail" scheme will be provided a uniform, a steel mug, basic bedding and a bar of soap. To keep the experience authentic even the food served during the stay will be similar to what used to be served to prison inmates.
Officials say that spending time in jail will dissuade people from doing breaking the law.
"When I took charge, this jail was dilapidated. I thought this is a historical monument and we can change this jail into a heritage jail and museum which will depict history of the state," said senior jail official Vinoy Kumar Singh.
In recent months Telangana has started several jail reforms for the welfare of prisoners including providing insurance cover to inmates, routine health check-up for all prisoners and also facilitating educational loans for inmates who want to study further.
"I thought citizens should get a feel of the jail and how it is to live inside it. For that reason we have used certain cells to be let out for Rs 500 and allow tourists to live like a prisoner for 24 hours," Mr Singh added.
The Sangareddy jail was originally built in 1796 by Nizam Ali Khan of Hyderabad. Designed to house the Nizam's horses, the building was later made into a jail under the British colonial administration. Several political prisoners were detained at the Sangareddy jail.
It continued as a district jail till as recently as 2012, when a new district jail was inaugurated in Medak.