Woman psychology student shares raw account of interning at all-male facility in Tihar Jail. What did she learn from the experience?
Inside Tihar Jail
Learning without a roadmap
Navigating trust, silence, and suspicion
Support from police
Advice to future psychology interns
For most students, internships offer a glimpse into their future profession. For Diya Kahali, a clinical psychology aspirant from Christ University , Delhi, it became an experience of survival, introspection, and learning in one of the most intense environments imaginable—Tihar Jail.Recently, Diya took to LinkedIn to recount her two-week internship at Tihar Prison Complex, Asia's largest correctional facility. Her post, titled 'Surviving and Thriving: My Reality as a Psychology Trainee at Tihar Prison Complex,' has sparked intrigue and admiration for her courage and candidness.Tihar isn't just any prison—it's a fortress of layered complexity, housing some of the most high-profile and hardened inmates. For Diya, stepping into this world as one of the only women in an all-male facility came with challenges that few psychology textbooks prepare you for."You're hyper-visible and invisible at the same time," she wrote. "Not quite taken seriously by inmates, sometimes overlooked by staff, and always aware of the eyes on you." She recalls that apart from her, the only other woman present was a female security guard. The mental toll of navigating such an environment wasn't minor—especially in a system where the internship structure itself is still evolving.Diya quickly realized that Tihar's internship program lacks a defined framework. There were no structured schedules, clear instructions, or formal hand-holding. 'You have to ask (and keep asking) for guidance, double-check every instruction, and always prioritize your safety,' she wrote. At times, this meant requesting a guard's presence during inmate interviews—a non-negotiable for her peace of mind.Despite the chaos, she made it work. Her daily duties involved interviewing inmates, understanding their backgrounds and mental health status, and preparing weekly reports—often without much prior context. When quizzed by prison doctors, Diya was expected to go beyond her undergraduate training. Neeraj Ahuja's psychiatry book, she says, became her 'lifeline.'Perhaps the most emotionally demanding part of Diya's journey was building rapport with inmates—men who often met her presence with suspicion, silence, or attempts to dominate the interaction. Her secret weapon? Calm, confidence and the art of hypothetical questions.'If you're not fluent in Hindi, use personal examples—without giving away actual details,' she advised. This allowed inmates to feel understood rather than judged, encouraging more meaningful dialogue. But she was clear: 'Never let your guard down.'Amid the challenges, Diya found support in the police officers which made a lot of difference. She also encouraged future interns to be open in their communication with staff and make the most of networking opportunities—even within prison walls.To those considering a similar internship at Tihar, Diya offered three key pieces of advice:- Patience and flexibility are key: The program is still new and evolving.- Be prepared for an intense atmosphere: The psychological environment is demanding.- Research is possible, but restricted: With the right permissions and persistence, it can be done.
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