800 volunteers sign up to be imprisoned in Swiss jail

Earlier this month, a soon-to-be-opened prison in Zurich put out a call for volunteers to spend a few nights locked-up, as part of a test run, before it starts accepting actual prisoners.  It has now been reported that the prison received over 800 volunteer applications.  Might there have been something about the prison's pitch, that made so many people sign up? 

To quote from one report:

Prison officials have extolled the virtues of the program, saying people can get a real idea of how it feels to be in prison – without having to commit a crime.

“There are only winners in this test operation. As a participant, you can experience in a safe environment how it might feel for a real arrested person to suddenly be locked up.”

“Make your own comparison between fiction from various series and reality in Switzerland.”

For anyone looking for a fun and romantic idea in the lead up to Valentines Day, officials say that couples can participate, although prisoners will be separated according to gender.