Siblings Nidhi Ladda and Raghav Ladda traveled to Hyderabad, India this summer to participate in a unique internship at the Cherlapally Central Prison. The city is in the south of India, in Telangana state.They volunteered in a three-week social reform program designed to reduce recidivism and crime through cognitive behavioral development and training therapy. It is operated by the Unnati Reform Program and sponsored by ANTRIX-ISRO, an Indian government-owned company that operates under the Department of Space.Nidhi, a senior at Livingston High School, and Raghav, a junior, volunteered in the 52nd “batch” of the program, which has been operating since 2013.Previously trained inmates lead the program, acting as mentors and counselors to the new inmates. “Most participants experience an improvement in their self-image, positivity and confidence,” said Nidhi. “One error of judgment or ac“One error of judgment or action does not define a person,” said Raghav. “This program provides needed opportunities to correct past mistakes and make amends.”“The goal is for participants to find a sense of purpose and be productive members of society in the future,” Nidhi added.The siblings’ father, Jugal Ladda, accompanied them to India, where they stayed with family and commuted two hours each way to the prison. They worked six days a week, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.They had learned about the program from a relative in Hyderabad, contacted the director general of the prison, and were welcomed with open arms. The trip was self-funded.“At first I was skeptical about this,” said Jugal, “especially due to COVID. But our family members told us that the program is working.”The facility was modern, the food was good, and they felt safe, the teens said. There were zero cases of COVID in the prison, and everyone was masked and vaccinated.“We also found common topics in soccer and music,” said Raghav.Cherlapally Prison is old, but has been renovated, Raghav said. “When you walk in you are greeted with palm trees and art,” he added. “It wasn’t what I was expecting,”“It wasn’t what I was expecting,” said Nidhi, “maybe bars, cells, an isolated place. But it was beautiful.”Nidhi and Raghav can speak Hindi, but some of the people they interacted with spoke another language, Telugu.“We were somewhat familiar with Telugu, but sometimes needed an interpreter,” said Nidhi.”Most days, Nidhi and Raghav worked with a group of about 20 men, most from 20 to 40 years old. “We were in a ...
