Have you ever thought about what it’s like to work inside Tihar Jail, one of the biggest and most high-security prisons in India? A psychology intern from Ghaziabad, Diya Kahali, recently shared her experience after spending two weeks there as a psychiatry trainee. And it was definitely not a normal office job.
In a LinkedIn post, Diya talked about what it felt like to work with “literally just me and one female guard” inside a jail full of male inmates. She described facing silence, suspicion, and always being careful about her surroundings.
“You’re hyper-visible and invisible at the same time: not quite taken seriously by inmates, sometimes overlooked by staff, and always aware of the eyes on you,”
she shared
Her daily work included talking to prisoners, listening to their stories, and writing detailed reports. But it wasn’t easy. Since the internship program is still very new, there was no clear plan to follow. Diya had to keep asking questions, double-check every instruction, and always focus on staying safe.
She explained, “The structure for interns is still new here, so don’t expect a clear roadmap. I learned quickly that you have to ask (and keep asking) for guidance, double-check every instruction, and always prioritize your safety.”
Diya also mentioned how she had to build trust with the inmates, which was one of the hardest parts. She learned how to listen without crossing any boundaries, how to ask questions indirectly when inmates were not ready to talk, and how to stay calm even when situations were scary.
She said, “Rapport-building is EVERYTHING. Inmates may not always open up, and sometimes you’ll be met with silence, suspicion, or even dominance. Stay cool, stay confident, and never let your guard down.”
Even though the experience was tough, Diya said that support from senior police officers made a huge difference and helped her feel safe and motivated.
For students thinking about doing an internship at Tihar Jail, Diya shared a few tips:
- Be patient and ready to adjust, because the program is still developing.
- Go to Gate No. 3 and visit the R.M.O office for documentation work.
- Research is allowed but only with proper permissions.
- Be mentally and emotionally strong because the environment is very intense.
You can read her full post here.
In a time when many internships mean doing simple office work, Diya’s experience inside Tihar Jail is truly different and inspiring.