This Central Jail in this State known as "God's Own Country" may thrown open for the Tourists for 'Jail' Experience

July 18, 2018:

This Jail situated in God's Own Country, Kerala may become a prominent destination on Kerala’s Tourism Map if State Prison Department’s proposal to throw open Viyyur Central Jail in Thrissur for short tourist stays is approved by Government.

State Prisons Deputy General of Police, R Sreelekha has stated that,“Department has submitted a detailed proposal to the government as part of the prison museum project. A short stay on the jail premises is one of them. Further details can be shared only after it is approved,” said .

Telangana Government had launched a similar programme at 220-year-old heritage jail in Sangareddy, Medak district, two years ago, with tourists being allowed to stay a day for a fee of Rs 500. Last February, well-known jeweller Boby Chemamnoor created headlines by spending 24 hours behind bars.

India’s largest prison, Tihar Jail, is toying with idea of launching a similar project called ‘Feels like Jail’.

Senior official of Viyyur Jail stated that project envisions construction of a separate block for tourists in Prison Complex.

They will partake in prison experience, complete with uniforms and jail food, but won’t be allowed to interact with actual inmates for security reasons. He went on to add that the project, if approved, will not only generate additional revenue but also help destigmatise prison life to an extent.

Among the three Central Prisons in Kerala, Viyyur jail holds historical value as it dates back to 1914 and still bears several remnants of the British era and the erstwhile Kochi dynasty. Jail Department is planning a grand jail museum here.

Incidentally, an air-conditioned restaurant at Thiruvananthapuram’s Poojpura Central Prison which offers a number of delicacies at affordable rates is a big hit among patrons.

Launched two years ago as a “Three-dish Kitchen”, Freedom Cafeteria now offers 22 dishes including the coveted Malabar biriyani and provides employment to over 150 inmates. Price of the food here is at least 40 per cent cheaper than the market rate.

Source Hindustan Times