40 Facts About Strangest Prisons

Prisons Built in Unusual Locations

Some prisons are located in places you would never expect. These locations can be remote, dangerous, or just plain strange.

1. San Pedro Prison in Bolivia is like a small town. Inmates live with their families, run shops, and even rent out rooms.
2. Devil's Island in French Guiana was a notorious prison for political prisoners. Surrounded by shark-infested waters, escape was nearly impossible.
3. Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay is famous for its isolation. The cold, strong currents made escaping almost unthinkable.
4. Gitarama Prison in Rwanda is one of the most overcrowded prisons in the world. Inmates often have to sleep standing up due to lack of space.
5. Aranjuez Prison in Spain has family units. Inmates can live with their children and spouses in special cells designed to look like regular apartments.

Prisons with Unique Rules and Systems

Some prisons operate under rules and systems that are quite different from the norm. These unique approaches can be surprising.

6. Bastøy Prison in Norway is on an island and operates like a community. Inmates work on farms, fish, and have access to leisure activities.
7. Halden Prison in Norway focuses on rehabilitation. Inmates have private rooms with TVs, and the prison has a music studio and a climbing wall.
8. San Quentin State Prison in California has a newspaper run by inmates. The San Quentin News covers prison life and issues.
9. Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines is known for its dancing inmates. They perform choreographed routines that are posted online.
10. Justizzentrum Leoben in Austria looks more like a hotel than a prison. Inmates have private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and access to a gym and library.

Prisons with Harsh Conditions

Some prisons are known for their extremely harsh conditions. These places can be dangerous and difficult to survive.

11. Black Dolphin Prison in Russia is one of the toughest prisons in the world. Inmates are kept in isolation and are under constant surveillance.
12. ADX Florence in Colorado is a supermax prison. Inmates spend 23 hours a day in solitary confinement.
13. La Sabaneta Prison in Venezuela is infamous for its violence. Inmates often have to fend for themselves due to lack of guards.
14. Bang Kwang Central Prison in Thailand is known as the "Bangkok Hilton." Inmates are shackled for the first three months of their sentence.
15. Petak Island Prison in Russia is located in a remote area. Inmates are isolated and have very limited contact with the outside world.

Prisons with Historical Significance

Some prisons have played important roles in history. These places have housed famous inmates and witnessed significant events.

16. Robben Island in South Africa held Nelson Mandela for 18 years. It is now a museum and a symbol of the struggle against apartheid.
17. Tower of London in England was used as a prison for centuries. Famous inmates included Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes.
18. Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania was one of the first prisons to use solitary confinement. It housed famous criminals like Al Capone.
19. Kilmainham Gaol in Ireland held many leaders of the Irish independence movement. It is now a museum.
20. Château d'If in France was made famous by the novel "The Count of Monte Cristo." It was used to hold political prisoners.

Prisons with Strange Practices

Some prisons have practices that are downright bizarre. These practices can be shocking and hard to believe.

21. Cereso Chetumal in Mexico had no guards. Inmates managed themselves and resolved conflicts through boxing matches.
22. Aranjuez Prison in Spain allows inmates to decorate their cells. Some cells look like cozy apartments with colorful walls and furniture.
23. San Pedro Prison in Bolivia has a unique economy. Inmates pay for their cells and can run businesses inside the prison.
24. Otago Corrections Facility in New Zealand offers culinary classes. Inmates can earn qualifications in cooking and hospitality.
25. Pondok Bambu Prison in Indonesia had luxury cells. Wealthy inmates could pay for air conditioning, private bathrooms, and even karaoke machines.

Prisons with Unusual Inmate Populations

Some prisons house inmates that you wouldn't expect to find in a typical prison. These populations can be surprising and unique.

26. Luzira Upper Prison in Uganda has a large number of death row inmates. Despite this, it has a reputation for being humane and rehabilitative.
27. San Quentin State Prison in California has a large number of elderly inmates. The prison has special programs to address their needs.
28. HMP Whatton in England is one of the largest prisons for sex offenders. It focuses on rehabilitation and therapy.
29. Qincheng Prison in China holds many political prisoners. It is known for its high security and secrecy.
30. HM Prison Grendon in England is a therapeutic community. Inmates participate in group therapy and decision-making processes.

Prisons with Unique Architecture

Some prisons are known for their unique and interesting architecture. These buildings can be fascinating to look at and explore.

31. Justizzentrum Leoben in Austria looks like a modern office building. It has large windows and open spaces.
32. Halden Prison in Norway is designed to be as non-institutional as possible. It has colorful walls, artwork, and lots of natural light.
33. Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania was designed to look like a castle. It has long, narrow hallways and high, arched ceilings.
34. Château d'If in France is a fortress on an island. Its thick walls and high towers make it look imposing.
35. HMP Addiewell in Scotland is designed to be a learning prison. It has classrooms, workshops, and a library.

Prisons with Notable Escapes

Some prisons are famous for the daring escapes that have taken place there. These stories can be thrilling and inspiring.

36. Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay is known for the escape of Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers. They used a homemade raft to try to reach the mainland.
37. Maze Prison in Northern Ireland saw the escape of 38 IRA prisoners in 1983. It was one of the largest prison breaks in British history.
38. Libby Prison in Virginia was the site of a daring escape during the Civil War. Over 100 Union soldiers tunneled their way to freedom.
39. Pentridge Prison in Australia saw the escape of Ronald Ryan, the last person to be executed in Australia. He and another inmate used a makeshift ladder to climb over the wall.
40. Stalag Luft III in Germany was the site of the "Great Escape" during World War II. Allied prisoners dug tunnels to escape the camp.

The Odd World of Prisons

Prisons around the globe hold more than just inmates; they house some of the strangest stories and facts. From San Pedro Prison in Bolivia where inmates run businesses to Aranjuez Prison in Spain that allows families to live together, these places defy the usual expectations. Cebu Prison in the Philippines even became famous for its dancing inmates.

These unique prisons show how different cultures approach incarceration. Some focus on rehabilitation, others on punishment, and a few on creating a self-sustaining community. Each one offers a glimpse into the diverse ways societies handle crime and punishment.

Whether it's a prison with luxurious amenities or one where inmates fend for themselves, these places are anything but ordinary. They remind us that even in confinement, human ingenuity and resilience find a way to shine through.