Inside 70 Prison Cells From Around The World

1. El Salvador - Penal De Ciusad Barrios

This is inside Penal De Ciudad Barrios, Ciudad Barrios, San Miguel in El Salvador. The tiny little cells have around 30 people all squashed inside.These cells were initially meant to be holding cells for around 72 hours because they are not fit for living full term. But now they house prisoners for around a year.Original content sourced from Femanin.com

2. Russia - Black Dolphin

Here is a glimpse into Black Dolphin Prison, Sol-Iletsk in Russia. This is a world renowned prison and it is known for housing some of the most notorious and dangerous criminals.The likes of terrorists, murderers, cannibals and more. This prison's security is extremely tight due to the notorious and dangerous criminals that are held here.

8. Netherlands - Norgerhaven

In Norgerhaven Prison, Veenhuizen, Netherlands the crime rate is so low that they actually had an under-crowding problem, very different to the majority of places.(Image Source/ architecturendesign)Unlike many places such as Britain who face the opposite problem. in fact they struck a deal with Norway to take some of their prisoners.

9. San Diego - Cartagena

Here is a picture of San Diego Medium-Security Women’s Prison, Cartagena, Colombia. It may look like a fairly relaxed environment for a prison, and that is because it is.

(Image Source/ Demilked)

 This low security prison is often used for women nearing the end of their sentences. This is a restaurant that is solely run by the inmates.

10. California - San Quentin

This prison is located in the north of San Francisco, San Quentin in California. It is the oldest and largest prison in the whole of California.(Image Source. thetravel.com)In fact, not only California but the largest in the whole of the United States. It's one of the well known prisons as it has attracted a lot of attention.

11. Haiti's Civil Prison

The living conditions in this prison in Port-au-Prince, Haiti as we can see are very low quality. And, this picture at least shows some beds.(Image Source. thetravel.com)Because, a lot of the time hammocks are suspended from the ceiling. Due to lack of resources, money and space some of the prisoners do not have enough to eat.

12. Kabul - Pul-e-Charkhi

This is a photo of the inside of Pul-e-Charkhi Prison just outside of Kabul. This prison is known for riots and prisoners having managed to escape on different occasions.(Image Source. thetravel.com)It was also once known for being the prison to mainly hold members of the Taliban and it gained a reputation for being one of the hardest prisons ever.

13. United States -ADX Florence Prison

This prison is the ADX Florence prison, Colorado, United States. This facility is secured and monitored way more severely than any standard prison you see.

 (Image Source. architecturendesign.com)

 It is built for the criminals who are too dangerous to be in the normal system. And so surveillance here is constant, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

14. Germany - Landsberg Prison

Here we can see inside a cell in Landsberg prison in Germany. This German Prison is widely known for housing one of the most evil men of all time - Adolf Hitler.(Image Source, thetravel.com)Now, it is run by a different organisational method which is a progressive correctional facility to try and rehabilitate their prisoners rather than focus solely on punishment.

15. New Zealand - Otago Corrections Facility

This is Otago Corrections Facility in, Milburn, New Zealand. One look inside and you may just assume this is an ordinary, typical teenage boy's bedroom.(Image Source, thetravel.com)But no, the inmates here are pretty lucky and live a comfortable and some even stretch to say luxurious life while they serve their sentences.

16. Lilongwe Prison -Malawi

This picture is a pretty shocking revelation, and so far away from the previous prison situation in New Zealand. This is a prison in Lilongwe, Malawi.(Image Source, TheTravel)It was once built for around 800 people but the prison population got so big that this prison faces unbelievable overcrowding problems where not every prisoner can fit.

17. Champdollan Prison - Switzerland

This is Champ-Dollon Prison in Geneva, Switzerland. When we compare this to the last photo the differences are incomprehensible. The standards here are very high.(Image Source, TheTravel)This prison looks spotlessly clean and the conditions look good. This prison is not only for the Swiss population and in fact only 7% of the inmates are from Switzerland.

18. Detention And Rehabilitation Center - Philippines

If you thought that looked like an organised female prisoners dance class in the photo... then you would not be wrong. This is an exercise dance class!(Image Source, TheTravel)This prison is very unique in this way. To keep the prisoners engaged as well as doing their physical fitness the prison offers dance classes.

19. Evin Prison - Iran

Evin Prison does not meet standards of an acceptable prison by any means. This is due to overcrowding and terrible sanitation and unliveable conditions.(Image Source, TheTravel)Even the water quality is awful here and the food is barely edible, if they manage to get enough food as it is. Resources are very much stretched.

20. Las Colinas Detention And Reentry Facility - California

Here we can see inside Las Colinas Detention And Reentry Facility, Santee, California. This prison was the very first of its kind in the US.(Image Source/ architecturendesign)It was even fairly groundbreaking at the time it was built. Again, the aim is for the prisoners to be reintroduced not to stay in prison for even being punished.

21. Robben Island - South Africa

Robben Island is a small island off the coast of Cape Town that has been used for a variety of reasons. It was originally used to isolate political prisoners at the end of the 17th century.(Image Source/ Colby College Community Web)The first settlers to employ it as a jail were Dutch, and served as a leper colony and an animal quarantine facility during the nineteenth century.

22. Leoben Justice Center - Austria

Every prison isn't crazy because of brutal and inhumane living conditions. It was designed in 2004 by Josef Hohensinn for groups of up to 13 people.(Image Source/ World Architects) The Justice Center at Leoben really stands out from the crowd because it is actually a stunning piece of architecture and a very beautiful jail.

23. Devil's Island - French Guiana

Devil's Island was included in the French penal colony for more than 100 years. Originally used as a leper colony, the space became used to house political prisoners(Image Source/ All That's Interesting)And it was one of the scariest prisons in the world, and one of the most awful. Most prisoners died due to the harsh conditions.

24. Newgate Prison - England

Originally built by Henry II in 1188, Newgate Prison is a London based facility that was destroyed in the 1666 great fire of London, later rebuilt with sick additions.(Image Source/ London Insight)Prisoners were forced to watch public executions and punished if they didn't pay rent. It was by far one of the most shocking prison institutions ever.

25. La Sabeneta Prison - Venezuela

La Sabaneta Prison is one of the most lawluss and frightening prisons you could land in. While it's just designed for 700 prisoners, 3,700 are housed there.(Image Source/ Twitter)This has happened due to a major lack of funding and severe understaffing issues. The prison is hugely overrun by very dangerous and bloodthirsty gangs.

26. Gitarama Central Prison - Rwanda

With 7,000 prisoners crammed into a space meant for 400, they have the choice to stand all day or huddle together when given the chance.(Image Source/ Newscrab)The lack of space is the prison's biggest issue that started back in the 1990s. Prisoners have died due to suffocation in the prison which is truly horrendous.

27. Camp 22 - North Korea

Given that it is cut off from the rest of the world, footage of North Korea's prison is hard to come by, and the prisoners face lifelong detention.(Image Source/ Daily Mail)Around 50,000 prisoners are housed here, mainly for criticizing their government. All prisoners must work and carry out physical tasks every single day in harsh conditions.

28. Georgia Gldani Prison - Tbilisi

While poor medical care, unsanitary conditions and overcrowding are among its worst and most severe problems, this Tbilisi prison also has more than that.(Image Source/ Daily Mail)Prisoners suffer at the hands of prison guards who beat and assault them in all sorts of ways. They were exposed during released footage in 2012.

29. Peru San Juan de Lurigancho - Lima

One of South America's harshest prisoners, there are barely any guards to control 11,500 inmates in a space that is only designed for 2,500 people.(Image Source/ Anibal Martel)Inmates here experiment with the latest technology that's being sold of the black market, as well as cockfighting and drugs. Occasionally, "nurses"  and "attorneys" of their choice will visit.

30. Black Beach Prison - Equatorial Guinea

If you happen to end up in this facility, you would be subject to overcrowding, chronic disease, malnutrition, guard brutality and a lot of torture.(Image Source/ The Guardian)It's also heard that there is a major rat infestation at this prison. Inmates here are subjected to this terrible violence and treatment every single day.

31. Nairobi Prison - Kenya

Opened in 1911, Nairobi Prison was originally intended to house 800 prisoners. With no expansion or change, the facility eventually housed more than 4,000 prisoners.(Image Source/ Progressive International)In one prison cage with room for three people, twelve were actually subject to the space which makes it an extremely harsh and inhumane prison.

32. Butyrka Prison - Russia

The Butyrka Prison falls within the Teverskoy District in Russia and so it was made originally to house the political prisoners during its Soviet Period.(Image Source/ The Moscow Times)However, with overcrowding now being a rife problem, a 10 man cell will hold up to 100 prisoners. Diseases, tuberculosis and AIDS are rampant within this facility.

33. Diyarbakir Prison - Turkey

Based in the South-eastern part of Turkey, this prison is notorious when it comes to human rights (or lack thereof). The treatment of the prisoners is terrible here.(Image Source/ Alchetron)Opened in the 1980s, the conditions are so inhumane that even lawless criminals tried to change it. With hunger strikes, prisoners tried to demonstrate their suffering.

34. El Rodeo Prison - Venezuela

Within this facility, 50,000 of Venezuela's more brutal criminals are homed and involved in rampant gang wars. The administration can only do so much here.(Image Source/ Sky News)Brutality, violence and assault continue to occur within the facility. The Armed Forces even offered to assist in the controlling of the prison as it became so bad.

35. Penal de Ciudad Barrios Prison - El Salvador

The main problem at this facility is the lack of prison guards. With the country's most notorious criminals housed here, you'd think that they would employ the most experienced prison guards too.(Image Source/ BBC)The ratio of guards to prisoners is 1:50, therefore, prisoners are free to do as they wish because there is a complete lack of control within the facility.

36. Mendoza Prison - Argentina

In a space that is meant for 600 inhabitants, 1,600 are crammed into the living conditions. The prison is notorious for inhumane conditions, torture and death.(Image Source/ The Guardian)Amnesty International recorded that fact that inmates who enter that aren't yet sentenced, come out a lot worse than when they arrived at the prison.

37. Rikers Island - NY, USA

Inmates claim that the penitentiary here is worse than the roughest back streets of New York. City officials made the decision to make this the country's strictest prison.(Image Source/ The New York Times)SWAT teams became in charge at the prison. They confiscated thousands of makeshift weapons, which did help to massively bring down the violence rates here.

38. Tadmor Military Prison - Syria

Located in the Syrian Desert, the facility was more infamous for torture, harsh conditions and summary executions. It's gained a historic reputation for it's horrendous happenings.(Image Source/ BBC)A poet within the prison declared the facility as a "kingdom of madness and death". A massacre once took place in 19802, where defence forced murdered a thousand inmates.

39. La Santé Prison - France

Prison Physician Vasseur wrote a book on the facility's disgusting conditions. Suicide and depression are rampant here as the prison is so terrible for prisoners.(Image Source/ The Guardian)It became as extreme as inmates choosing to drink drain killers and chemicals to relieve themselves of the torture. With 124 suicides in 1999 alone, and the situation has probably worsened.

40. Carandiru Penitentiary - Brazil

This prison was completely shut down due to a massacre that happened in 2002, which left 111 inmates dead after military police stormed the facility.(Image Source/ History Hit)The event exposed to the world the prison's harsh realities of the facility, with at least 1 in every 5 inmates having HIV and inmates undergoing surgery with no anaesthesia.

41. Halden Prison, Norway

This maximum-security prison has three main units and receives prisoners from all over the world. But the prison actually doesn’t have any conventional security devicesImage Source: Bored PandaAnd instead focuses on rehabilitation, it has been designed to simulate a normal life outside the prison. Sport and music are also available to the prisoners.

42. Abashiri Prison, Japan

Inmates at this prison have their rooms inspected once a day, and all prisoners have a sentence of 8 years or less. It's very strict and prisoners are under scrutiny.Image Source: Bored PandaIt’s a very strict life here, but it does have a souvenir shop in front of the main gates that actually sells items made from the prisoners.

43. Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, Philippines

This is a maximum-security prison – and if you’ve ever seen that viral dance video of Thriller choreographed by inmates, this is the prisons responsibility.Image Source: ArtfidoIt has inmates perform dance routines as part of their daily exercise and rehabilitation program, and many of the sequences are released online to follow.

44. Oslo’s Skien Prison, Oslo, Norway

Norwegian prisons are actually supposed to mimic outside conditions as much as possible. With this in mind, this prison has private bathrooms, gym, yard, TV and video games.Image Source: Bored PandaOne inmate’s cell had three rooms, one for studying, one for living and one for exercise. That’s more than most people can say about their own homes.

45. The Maula Prison, Lilongwe, Malawi

The Maula Prison in Malawi is really suffering from overcrowding issues, with around 200 people being placed in a 60-person cell in the more recent years.Image Source: PinterestPrisoners must share one toilet between 120 people, and share one tap between 900 people. Prisoners are fed once a day, and they can play sports.

46. UN Detention Unit, Outside The Hague, Netherlands

This is a UN-administered jail institute, established in 1993, and now serves the International Criminal Court detention centre which is strictly governed in the Netherlands.Image Source: RferlThe jail houses prisoners who are suspects in their trials, as well as those actually convicted by the court. Every cell has its own toilet and washing area, with access to a gym in the prison.

47. Petak Island Prison, Vologda, Russia

This prison is often nicknamed the ‘Alcatraz of Russia’. It holds the most dangerous criminals in the country. The prison has around 22 hour-a-day lockdowns.Image Source: AllthatsinterestingEvery cell here is a 2-man room. Prisoners are allowed 2 visitors a year, and the prison itself is surrounded by water so nobody can escape.

48. HM Prison Dartmoor, Princetown, England

This prison is home to mostly non-violent offenders, but also houses sex offenders. It has a ‘misplaced’ reputation as being an escape-proof prison but this isn't the case.Image Source: Bored PandaSome of the inmates volunteer for treatment to change their behaviour, alongside medication, due to its programmes that encourage prisoners to realise that their behaviour is unacceptable.

49. Quezon City Jail, Quezon City, Philippines

This jail is housed in the capital of the Philippines, and its prisoners will see struggles for water and food, as well as space to move on a regular basis.Image Source: Bored PandaIt has up to 200 prisoners placed into a cell built to house 20 people. Prisoners have to take turns to sleep on the cement floor of an open-air basketball court.

50. El Buen Pastor Women’s Prison, Bogota, Colombia

This prison in Colombia is a women’s prison that originally had cells designed to hold 2 people only – now, there can be up to 20 women inside one of these cells.Image Source: ABCEven though the conditions within the prison are described as violent and hostile, it does hold annual beauty pageants which seems incomprehensible in this environment.

51. Pelican Bay State Prison, Crescent City, California

This prison’s purpose is said to be housing the ‘worst of the worst’ in terms of male prisoners showing violence. A lot of these prisoners are serving life sentences in this jail.Image Source: Bored PandaAnd, all of the inmates have histories of violence, which includes at other prisons leading them to be transferred to the institute which is called Pelican Bay.

52. San Pedro Prison, La Paz, Bolivia

In this prison, the guards are police officers whose only concern is keeping the inmates in the prison. Order is kept sometimes by means as violent as stabbing.Image Source: Architectural ReviewCells can be bought by other inmates, and even the wealthiest of the prisoners have cells with private bathrooms, kitchens and surprisingly, even cable television.

53. Neve Tirza, Ramla, Israel

This prison is a women’s-only prison, with cells that are around 13 square meters. The cells include a toilet and a shower. Every one of these cells contains around 6 women.Image Source: Bored PandaThey often have to share space to sleep in these very cramped conditions. The very definition of personal space is challenged, and the struggle for dignity becomes a daily ordeal.

54. Bordeaux Prison, Montreal, Canada

Bordeaux Prison in Montreal, Canada, was built between the years of 1908 to 1912, and today it is responsible for housing from 1,000 up to 1,500 inmates.Image Source: National PostAll inmates are male, and they will have sentences of 2 years or less to be in this particular prison, each inmate etching his own chapter into the prison's rich narrative.

55. Altiplano Prison, Almoloya De Juarez, Mexico

This prison is a maximum-security federal prison, with walls that are close to 1 meter thick, and due to all of this was once considered impenetrable.Image Source: TimeThis was until a prisoner managed to escape through a tunnel in 2015. The air space in the prison is also said to be restricted, with cell reception limited.

56. Kashimpur Central Jail, Gazipur, Bangladesh

In this jail in Bangladesh, there are around 2,000 inmates, and it is actually the biggest prison in all of Asia. All current prisoners of this prison are male.Image Source: Business InsiderThe prison includes a hospital, 4 kitchens, a gallows, a pond area and even fruit and vegetables in a jail garden. The resources here are more abundant than many prisons.

57. The Federal Correctional Institution, El Reno, Oklahoma

This Federal Correctional Institution located in El Reno, Oklahoma, is a facility that has medium security. Its inmate count is around 1,000 prisoners, all of which are male.Image Source: Bored PandaThe prison is actually one of two farm facilities which remain in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. As the men within its confines engage in tasks ranging from agricultural labor to vocational training.

58. Desembargador Raimundo Vidal Pessoa Penitentiary, Manaus, Brazil

The Desembargador Raimundo Vidal Pessoa Penitentiary is based in Brazil and it is an extremely dangerous prison based on the uprising its had in the past.Image Source: The GuardianThe inmates of this prison may face death from other inmates, as four people were killed in a previous uprising in the prison when guards could not control the prisoners.

59. Bang Kwang Prison, Bangkok, Thailand

This prison has been given the nickname the ‘Bangkok Hilton’, but is a prison nothing like this name might suggest. In fact it epitomizes the harsh realities of incarceration.Image Source: Bangkok PostIt’s a very overcrowded facility, at maximum-security, and holds both local and foreign inmates. Its unfair sentencing and reports of abuse make it known for being one of the worst prisons.

60. JVA Fuhlsbuettel Prison, Germany

The JVA Fuhlsbuttel prison in Hamberg, Germany, is home to long-serving prisoners who have a lot more luxuries than some other prisons in the world.Image Source: Scoop WhoopThe cells themselves have a lot of space, which could be considered luxury enough, but prisoners can also enjoy a couch and private shower, too.

61. Sollentuna Prison, Sweden

This facility is a correctional prison in Sweden which provides its inmates with private cells. In these cells is a comfortable bed, as well as a separate bathroom attached.Image Source: Scoop WhoopThe prisoners also have access to a modern gym, as well as a kitchen available for use. A recreation room is also provided for prisoners.

62. Pondok Bambu Prison, Indonesia

You might mistake this women’s-only prison for a modern studio apartment. This facility, with prisoners living what could be labelled ‘luxurious’ in comparison to other institutions.Image Source: Vice.comIt is fully equipped with everything you’d need. This includes refrigerators and even recreational items like a karaoke machine and yes, even a nail salon.

63. Maison D’Arret de Bois-D’Arcy

This prison opened when originally planned to be a detention center. It opened in 1980 as a remand center. It used to have a first floor unit for minors which is now closed.Image Source: ViceIt was later made into a penal center, but has suffered a lot of prisoner death, including a mattress which was set on fire by another inmate.

64. Calhoun County Jail, Morgan, California

This facility is a secure prison in California that houses inmates who may be awaiting their trial or final sentencing. Some of the inmates may also be serving their sentence.Image Source: ViceThe Calhoun County Jail also makes many records available to the public in regard to the prisoners’ criminal records so that outsiders can see transparently.

65. Mutukula Prison Farm, Uganda

Unlike many prisons worldwide, this low-security facility in Uganda operates as a prison farm. This low security prison in Uganda is small by many of the world’s prison standards.Image Source: ViceIt only holds around 60 inmates, all of which are men. There is no opportunity of remand. Those prisoners coming to the end of their sentence will be taught agricultural work.

66. Kirinya Main Prison, Jinja, Uganda

This is Uganda’s second maximum security prison located in Jinga. Its prisoners include criminals who are waiting on death row following their official criminal sentencing.Image Source: ViceAnd these prisoners on death row can also have opportunity to teach other inmates in a classroom setting, such as death row inmates giving biology lessons.

67. Establecimiento Carcelario de Reclusin Especial, Colombia

This prison houses over 100 inmates, which might be considered small by comparison to others, but this is actually over its official capacity of 50.Image Source: ViceBack in the 40s, the prison had a sanitorium which was intended to provide care for those inmates suffering from TBC disease. This space is now used for those prisoners needing minimum security.

68. Georgia State Prison, USA

This Georgian State prison contained male inmates convicted of a life sentence. It was a maximum security facility which served the Georgia Department of Corrections.Image Source: ViceThis prison, after first opening in 1938, actually housed some of the most dangerous criminals in the history of the state. It was also the location of Georgia’s death row.

69. Centre Penitentiaire de Lille-Annoeullin Prison, France

This prison in France is home to a courtyard where inmates are permitted to sunbathe. Some inmates housed here include notorious, well known gang members.Image Source: ViceSome of whom were already serving sentences which were then extended following further crimes. One gang member managed to even extort nightclubs – from his cell.

70. Attica Correctional Facility, New York

This facility is a maximum-security prison based in New York, and has actually been party to more than one huge, uncontrollable riots in its time.Image Source: Buffalo NewsOne of the worst was when 42 staff members were taken hostage by over 2000 inmates, in response to their appalling conditions. This prison is home to some of the most dangerous criminals in New York.

71. Danli Prison - Honduras

This is not a prison where the weak are able to survive. In fact the very toughest inmates are used and are armed to act as enforcers of the prison.Image Source: The MirrorThis is in order to compensate for the overwhelmed guards who cannot control the rising numbers of the prison. Lines between inmate and enforcer here are very blurred.

72. Piotrków Prison - Poland

Again, conditions here are extremely hostile. The prisoners have to stay inside of their cells for 23 hours every single day with only one hour outside per day.Image Source: The MirrorThey are let out for one hour. This is not so unusual for a prison but when they are inside the prison experience is claustrophobic and cramped.

73. El Hongo - Mexico

Prisons in Mexico have a reputation for a reason, they are very hard environments and only those people that are tough enough can survive the time inside.Image Source: ReutersThe inmates here have done some extremely terrible things, and fights are common to break out here as well as inmate violence which can be very extreme.

74. Porto Velho - Brazil

This is a renowned prion due to it holding two of Brazil's leading drug gangs captive here: the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (Red Command).

Image Source: avaznews

As such, there is a constant threat of violence and gang riots here which are continuously being plotted by the rival gangs, despite being segregated.

75. Zhytomyr - Ukraine

Inside Zhytomyr prison is it a totally hostile place, there is a skeleton crew in charge of enforcing the prison rules and order amongst dangerous inmates.Image Source: The New York TimesThe prisoners are actually able to wander freely around the grounds, and more often than not they are armed with potentially dangerous weapons or objects.

76. Bomana - Papa New Guinea

Bomana is a prison located in Papa New Guinea and it is known for its terrible conditions. It is constantly on the bring of chaos as the prisoners riot.Image Source: BBCFood shortages are a daily challenge here and conditions are totally squalid and pretty much unliveable. The relentless cycle of inmate riots underscores the persistent unrest within the facility.

77. Belize Central Prison - Belize

Belize Central Prison is located in Belize. It is different from many other prisons on the list due to its prioritising of rehabilitation through the power of God.Image Source: Amu EdgeThat's not to say that the conditions and the inside of the prison are any better however. It's considered amongst the worst and conditions here are squalid.

78. La Reforma - Costa Rica

La Reforma prison located in Costa Rica is a huge facility with 3 separate divisions to it; a maximum security, medium and low security wings.Image Source: Costa RicaFor the maximum security side of prison it's a very depressing place to be and it holds some very dangerous prisoners here who have to live under strict watch.

79. Narco - Colombia

Narco prison in Colombia has a huge problem: it is rife with drugs. The institution is searched frequently not only by the prison itself but also outside authorities.Image Source: IMDbThis is to try and keep the drug crimes down as the institution has a reputation. Yet, it doesn't seem to work and this prison is notorious for having a huge problem with drug smuggling.

80. Tacumbú - Paraguay

Tacumbú has also previously been called one of the most dangerous places in the world. In fact, in order to survive her and pay their own way prisoners search through the trash.Image Source: The MirrorCrime, drugs and riots here are just a apart and parcel of trying to survive in one of the world's scariest prisons. Each day here is a fight to stay safe and alive.