Belagavi: Hindalga Central Jail planning 'prison tourism'

Belagavi: The Hindalga Central Jail here has sent a proposal to the government to start a ‘prison tourism’ package in a way to augment their coffers.

As per the plans, for Rs 500 tourists will be allowed to stay in the jail for 24 hours as inmates with a prisoner uniform and number.

The tourists will also have to adhere to all rules applicable to other real prisoners including waking up at 5 am, cleaning the jail premises and their cell and eating the same food served to the inmates.

The tourists will also have to sleep on the floor on a mattress along with the real inmates.

The Hindalga Central Jail has some of the most dreaded criminals such as associates of forest brigand Veerappan jailed for mass murder, members of the Dandupalya gang and serial killer and rapist Umesh Reddy.

The jail authorities reportedly said that this concept of tourism could make the general public aware of the life of prisoners after a life of crime and might also deter people from committing crimes.