Hyderabad: In an unusual addition to Telangana’s tourist attractions, the tourism department has included ‘incarceration’ as part of its tourism offerings, alongside heritage sites such as Charminar, Golconda Fort, the Qutb Shahi Tombs and Ramappa Temple.The Tourism Department has decided to promote the recently launched ‘Feel the Jail’ experience at Chanchalguda Jail in Hyderabad as an official tourist destination, following a proposal from Director General (Prisons) Soumya Mishra.As part of efforts to boost participation, authorities are planning to introduce shorter-stay options of four, eight, and twelve hours, in addition to the existing 12-hour and 24-hour programmes.“The response to ‘Feel the Jail’ has been encouraging. With the Tourism Department including it among tourist destinations, we expect more visitors,” Soumya Mishra told TOI.
Telangana adds ‘Feel the Jail’ experience to tourism map
Following its inclusion in the official tourism circuit, an online entertainment and amusement platform is expected to facilitate reservations for visitors.Housed in a historic building constructed in 1912 during the Nizam era, the facility has been developed to offer visitors an immersive experience of prison life. It includes multiple mock lock-ups, including a dark cell, where participants would be confined as part of the programme. Visitors are required to wear prison uniforms during their stay.So far, only one participant, a pastor, has completed a full-day experience in the dark cell. The cost of a 24-hour stay is ₹2,000.In the coming days, school students are expected to be allowed to visit the ‘Feel the Jail’ experience and jail museum as part of educational excursions.The jail museum, opened to the public over a month ago, also showcases displays on medieval punishment practices, various historical artefacts, and a replica of the gallows.
