A two-week internship inside the high-security walls of Tihar Jail has sparked widespread interest online, after psychology trainee Diya Kahali detailed her experience navigating one of India’s most infamous prison complexes.
Only Woman in an All-Male Unit
Diya Kahali, a psychology student from Ghaziabad, shared her journey on LinkedIn under the title, “Surviving and thriving: My reality as a psychology trainee at Tihar Prison Complex.” In her post, she explained what it felt like to be the only woman among an all-male prison unit.
“Being one of the only women in an all-male facility (literally just me and one female guard) was eye-opening, to say the least. 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 wrote.
Learning to Adapt and Stay Safe
As part of her daily responsibilities, Diya interviewed inmates, compiled their stories, and submitted weekly reports. She emphasized the importance of asking for guidance, checking every instruction, and never compromising personal safety.
“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,” she advised.
She credited “rapport building” as one of the most essential tools in her internship, stating that it was key to gaining insights without crossing professional boundaries. “One should not give out personal information but only offer questions to help the inmates understand one rather than sympathising,” she explained.
Unexpected Support and Viral Praise
What surprised her the most was the warmth and support she received from the police officials. “I found unexpected warmth, support and understanding from the police heads, which made a world of difference,” she noted.
Diya’s honest and compelling post quickly went viral, drawing in comments from professionals and former interns alike. One user responded, “Helpful insight, Diya,” while another praised her resilience: “Really loved reading this! The way you navigated such a challenging and unfamiliar space with so much clarity and strength is truly inspiring!”
Another user who had interned at Tihar echoed her sentiments, commenting, “As I interned at Tihar, I can relate to your point of being the only woman in an all-male cell.”
