HYDERABAD: The Telangana Prisons department has developed a unique Jail Museum within the State Institute of Correctional Administration (SICA) in Chanchalguda, offering visitors a rare and immersive look into the world behind prison walls.
The facility is set to become one of India’s dedicated jail museums, joining similar initiatives in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Alipore (Kolkata), Bengaluru and Goa. The museum’s April 28 launch has been postponed and it is likely to open to the public in a week’s time.
Speaking to TNIE, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Soumya Mishra said the new facility is essentially a continuation of the earlier museum at Sangareddy, which had fallen into disrepair. “The structure there suffered extensive damage during the Covid-19 period five years ago, with several artefacts rusted or destroyed. Given the high cost and technical expertise required to restore the heritage building, the department decided to relocate the exhibits,” she explained.
The Chanchalguda museum, also housed in a heritage structure, has been designed in a more organised manner, improving the display and preservation of artefacts compared to the earlier setup.
At its core, the museum is designed as a journey through time. From ancient systems of punishment to the modern-day focus on correction and rehabilitation, each section unfolds a different chapter in the evolution of prison administration.
Lifelike cells to greet visitors
Curated exhibits, thematic paintings, and installations help narrate this transformation in an engaging manner.
A major feature of the museum is its recreation of old prison environments. Visitors can walk past lifelike prison cells and view displays of shackles, chains and fetters that once symbolised the realities of incarceration. Original artefacts used in jails add authenticity and offer insight into the day-to-day functioning of prisons.
The museum also highlights the progressive shift in the Telangana Prisons Department towards reformative practices. Dedicated sections showcase prison industries, agricultural activities, and skill development programmes aimed at rehabilitating inmates and preparing them for reintegration into society.
Technology adds another layer to the experience. Audio-visual chambers provide a closer look at prison administration, explaining processes such as inmate visits, court productions, and daily routines, making the functioning of jails more accessible to the public.
The concept of ‘one day jail experience’ under the “Feel the Jail” has been retained from the Sangareddy facility, allowing visitors to briefly step into the life of an inmate — experiencing prison food, routines, and the structured environment— offering a deeper, more personal understanding of life inside a jail. Blending history with experience, the Jail Museum stands as both an educational space and a reflection of changing attitudes towards justice and correction, opening a seldom-seen world to public view.
While the ticket price is yet to be finalised, she indicated that it could be in line with or slightly higher than the earlier model, which charged around Rs 500.