- Prison Inside Me is not a real prison. It is a special place in South Korea where people go to take a break from their busy lives. Over 2000 people pay to stay in small prison-like rooms to rest, think, and find peace. The real name of the place is Prison Inside Me Healing Center.
According to Al Jazeera news, Prison Inside Me was officially launched in 2013 in a small town called Hongcheon. With Noh Ji-Hyang and her husband, Kwon Yong-Seok, the owner of this center. Kwon was a lawyer who worked very hard and felt very tired and stressed. He said he wanted to go to prison for a few days to rest. This idea made his wife think, “Why not build a place like that?”
So, they made a building that looks like a prison, but it’s safe and peaceful inside. People come here voluntarily, not because they did something wrong.
When people come to “Prison Inside Me,” they wear blue prison clothes, give up their phones and computers, and stay in a small room (about 5 square meters). The room has no bed just a floor mat, a toilet, a tea set, and a small window.
People pay to stay for 24 or 48 hours. They eat simple food like porridge, meditate, write in a journal, or just sit in silence. No talking is allowed during most of the stay. The goal is to escape stress and learn about yourself.
South Korea is known for its hardworking culture. So people choose to stay prisoned because, they get a chance to rest without any pressure. Some say they feel more free inside the “prison” than outside. It helps them slow down, relax, and think about what really matters in life.
The healing center also started a conversation in Korean society about mental health, stress, and the need to rest. It shows that sometimes, taking a break is not a weakness but a strength. Prison Inside Me is not a normal place. It is a creative and peaceful space for people to heal. In a busy world, this quiet “prison” helps people feel free, happy, and calm again.