Have you ever been to jail? Do you know what does the prisoners do inside the jail? These are the common questions that general people get in their mind, but we never try to get into jail, isn’t it?
But, here’s is a man whose dream is to stay in jail and experience the feeling. A man from Kerala wanted to be a jailbird and it’s his long-cherished dream. He is a jeweler and his name is Boby Chemmanur. Without doing any crime, nobody can be sent to jail.
But, a jail in Sangareddy, Telangana fulfilled the dream of Boby. The business tycoon who owns a chain of jewelry showrooms across South India and the Middle East donned the robes of a convict and stayed behind the bars by taking part in the “Feel the Jail” programme.
He spent a day in the Heritage Jail in Sangareddy district which is about 70 km from Hyderabad, paying a fee of Rs 500. He enjoyed the night-out in the dingy cell of the jail barracks along with three of his friends Asheer Ali, Prashant and buddy Vinoy.
Feel the Jail program was started by the Telangana Prisons department for people who want first-hand experiments of jail life at the cost of Rs. 500 a day. Knowing this, Boby Chemmanur came along with his friends to the Sangareddy Central Prison, the 220-year-old Colonial era jail that was recently converted into a museum.
“It was a fantastic experience. The dark room, the prison food comprising dal, curry and white rice and sleeping on the floor was a different experience. A human being has to experience all levels of life – high, middle and low,” said 48-year old Boby upon coming out of jail.
“I know many police officials in Kerala and have expressed my desire to them on many occasions to help me experience the jail life for a day. However, they told me it was possible only if I committed a crime. Recently, I read a report in a newspaper about this program at the Sangareddy old jail and immediately made my plans,” he said.
Anybody can spend a day in the jail by paying the prescribed Rs 500 fee. The ‘prisoner’ should wear the uniform given by the jail staff and eat the food served. They use the mat and other essentials provided by the jail staff. So far, 50 persons, including two Malaysian nationals enjoyed a stay here.
Superintendent of Jail, Santosh Rai, said that they would serve an ordinary meal to inmates of Sangareddy to each and every person coming to spend time in the jail irrespective of their social and financial status. He has further said that they would strictly follow the guidelines framed by the Director of Prisoners and Correctional Services VK Singh.