Prisons have been around for centuries, and some of them have become famous for their history, architecture, or the infamous criminals who have been incarcerated within their walls. Here is a list of 10 famous prisons around the world:
- Alcatraz
Alcatraz is probably the most famous prison in the world. It is located on an island in San Francisco Bay, and it was once considered to be an escape-proof prison. Alcatraz was home to some of the most notorious criminals in American history, including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz.” The prison was closed in 1963, but it is now a popular tourist destination.
- Chateau d’If
Chateau d’If is a castle prison located on an island in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Marseille, France. It was built in the 16th century and was used as a prison for many years. The prison is most famous for being the setting for Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo.
- Devil’s Island
Devil’s Island is a group of three islands located off the coast of French Guiana in South America. It was used as a penal colony by the French government from 1852 to 1953. The prison was known for its harsh conditions and high death rate.
- Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary is a former prison located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was built in the 1820s and was once considered to be the most advanced prison in the world. The prison was known for its solitary confinement system, which was designed to rehabilitate prisoners through reflection and religious devotion.
- Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay is a United States military base located in Cuba. It has been used as a detention camp for suspected terrorists since 2002. The prison has been criticized for its use of torture and its indefinite detention of prisoners without trial.
- Robben Island
Robben Island is an island located off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. It was used as a prison for political prisoners during the apartheid era. Most famously, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island for 18 years. The prison is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Tower of London
The Tower of London is a historic castle located in London, England. It has been used as a prison for many centuries, and it has housed some of the most famous prisoners in history, including Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, and Sir Walter Raleigh.
- Sing Sing
Sing Sing is a maximum security prison located in Ossining, New York. It is one of the oldest and most notorious prisons in the United States. Sing Sing has been home to many famous criminals, including Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, Willie Sutton, and Charles Manson.
- San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin State Prison is a maximum security prison located in San Quentin, California. It is the oldest prison in California and has been home to many famous criminals, including Charles Manson, Sirhan Sirhan, and Scott Peterson.
- La Sabaneta Prison
La Sabaneta Prison is a maximum security prison located in Maracaibo, Venezuela. It is one of the most dangerous prisons in the world and is known for its overcrowding, violence, and lack of sanitation.
- Port Arthur
Port Arthur is a former penal colony located on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania, Australia. It was used as a prison for convicts from 1830 to 1972. The prison is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These are just a few of the many famous prisons around the world. Each prison has its own unique history and story to tell.